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

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,840Avg. savings £5,643 off RRP*Used from £11,495
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,045Avg. savings £8,315 off RRP*Used from £26,640
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £3,637 off RRP*Used from £10,250
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,870Avg. savings £6,416 off RRP*Used from £9,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: super 373-mile Skoda Enyaq is a bargain for under £300 a month
Skoda Enyaq front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: super 373-mile Skoda Enyaq is a bargain for under £300 a month

The Skoda Enyaq is easily one of the best electric SUVs money can buy. It’s our Deal of the Day for 15 September
News
15 Sep 2026
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI: the most powerful GTI ever has arrived
Volkswagen ID.3 GTI - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI: the most powerful GTI ever has arrived

Rear-wheel drive, over 320bhp and a new GTI-mode bring the fire to VW’s ID.3 Neo
News
16 Sep 2026
New Dodge Charger 2026 review: real US muscle makes some UK sense
Dodge Charger Sixpack - front cornering

New Dodge Charger 2026 review: real US muscle makes some UK sense

The Dodge Charger is both characterful and practical, but it's likely to be a rare sight on UK roads.
Road tests
17 Sep 2026