Skip advert
Advertisement

Car polishes and waxes

Buff up in the first part of our two- week Spring Car Care Special with Britain's biggest-ever polish test.

Want the ultimate protection for your car? Then look no further than this, the ultimate test! In another British first, Auto Express has put 19 top waxes and polishes on trial.

Diamond-hard protection, luxurious carnauba wax, brilliant shine, no-grief polishing... in no other sector of the car valeting market are the manufacturers' promises bigger or bolder.

But do they match up to reality? We braved the hail, rain, snow and ice in order to bring you the truth. We scoured the high street accessory shop shelves and the Internet to assemble this megatest.

So which one comes out on top? The next four pages will reveal all. And next week, we will show you the best and worst ways to keep your car spotless.

Verdict

It is very hard to look past Turtle Wax in these results. The US manufacturer may produce a massive range, but it really does have a handle on exactly how to make durable polishes.

Accordingly, Turtle Wax takes the top three spots with its Gloss Guard, Platinum and ClearVue, and has no less than six products finishing in our top 10.Newcomer Rain Dance impresses, and it's a promising debut for the new Original liquid from Simoniz. The top 10 is completed by chain store giant Halfords' Williams F1 wax and the Armor All Protectant.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,270Avg. savings £1,925 off RRP*Used from £8,888
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,310Avg. savings £2,572 off RRP*Used from £9,795
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,085Avg. savings £3,239 off RRP*Used from £13,990
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £6,250 off RRP*Used from £9,790
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Land Rover Discovery is on track as brand seeks to redefine the model in relation to Defender
Land Rover Discovery badge

New Land Rover Discovery is on track as brand seeks to redefine the model in relation to Defender

The Land Rover Discovery is set for a reboot according to JLR boss P.B Balaji
News
14 May 2026
PHEV megatest: Britain's 16 favourite plug-in hybrid systems tested
PHEV Megatest headershot

PHEV megatest: Britain's 16 favourite plug-in hybrid systems tested

It’s PHEV boom time. So we tried the systems offered in 59 cars, testing their EV range and efficiency, to reveal the ones you should buy
Car group tests
14 May 2026
New Volkswagen Transporter Sportline 2026 review: the van that thinks it’s a Golf GTI
Volkswagen Transporter Sportline - front cornering

New Volkswagen Transporter Sportline 2026 review: the van that thinks it’s a Golf GTI

It doesn't come cheap, but this big VW does come with plenty of unique and likeable touches
Road tests
15 May 2026