Skip advert
Advertisement

Spanners tested

Which are the best spanner sets for car DIY? We get to grips with 14 of the best-sellers

If you do anything more than just check the fluid levels on your car, then the chances are you'll need spanners. A decent set of combinations is usually the first automotive tool we buy when starting to work on cars. However, even if you already have a good selection, you could still be missing out on the latest technology.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Tool materials and designs have improved in recent years and even the way spanners turn nuts and bolts has changed, reducing the risk of slipping and skinned knuckles. So which are the best buys? We lined up 14 sets to find out.

Verdict

Combine a high-quality set of tools, a good price, excellent strength, a decent carry case and the sheer versatility of the Alldrive spanner heads, and Laser's 3732 comfortably took our Best Buy award.The fight for second and third places was very close between the 12-piece set from Clarke and the 14-tool kit from Yamoto. In the end, the latter won the day. The spanners weren't quite as indestruc-tible as Clarke's set, but the two extra sizes of tool more than compensated.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,805Avg. savings £4,765 off RRP*Used from £9,000
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,085Avg. savings £3,144 off RRP*Used from £12,790
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £6,250 off RRP*Used from £8,672
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,270Avg. savings £1,925 off RRP*Used from £6,777
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Vauxhall Grandland vs Renault Austral: Britain against France in a hybrid SUV clash
Vauxhall Grandland and Renault Austral - front tracking, header image

Vauxhall Grandland vs Renault Austral: Britain against France in a hybrid SUV clash

Renault’s Austral and Vauxhall’s Grandland have both been updated, but which is the better choice?
Car group tests
18 Apr 2026
Used Volkswagen ID.5 (Mk1, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: huge depreciation makes EV very attractive
Used Volkswagen ID.5 - front

Used Volkswagen ID.5 (Mk1, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: huge depreciation makes EV very attractive

A full used buyer’s guide on the Volkswagen ID.5 coupe-SUV that’s been on sale since 2022
Used car tests
19 Apr 2026
New Hyundai Ioniq 3 breaks cover with stunning sci-fi looks
Alastair Crooks with the Hyundai Ioniq 3

New Hyundai Ioniq 3 breaks cover with stunning sci-fi looks

Despite sharing the same underpinnings as the Kia EV2, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 looks radically different
News
20 Apr 2026