Skip advert
Advertisement

Cordless drivers

Which cordless screwdriver is best for work on cars for home mechanic? We try out eight...

You don’t have to be a big shot to turn heads... screw heads, that is! The cordless drivers we have tested here fit easily into the palm and, thanks to clever gearing, can spin off the tightest fastener.

It’s easy to dismiss cordless drivers because bigger drill versions also make short work of punching in self-tapping screws and the like. But on a car, where working space is often tight, the smaller tools undoubtedly come into their own. So, which are the ones to twist and shout about?

Verdict

With better-than-average torque performance and an impressive battery, plus a seriously comprehensive selection of bits, Challenge’s Extreme CSD48TLB is our Best Buy. The second-placed DeWalt DC600 takes a different approach; it is pricey and has few extras, but its gears, torque settings, pair of batteries and a fast charger mean the tool is more than up to continuous use. Clarke’s CCS36V takes third position – it undercuts our winner on price, but comes with fewer accessories.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,250Avg. savings £3,288 off RRP*Used from £10,495
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,050Avg. savings £3,637 off RRP*Used from £24,990
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,435Avg. savings £6,350 off RRP*Used from £10,640
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,270Avg. savings £3,278 off RRP*Used from £7,500
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Audi A2 e-tron: urban efficiency icon is reborn for the EV age
Audi A2 e-tron - Phil McNamara front

New Audi A2 e-tron: urban efficiency icon is reborn for the EV age

Audi has revealed the new A2 e-tron EV, which is set to offer incredible efficiency and a tempting £32k price tag
News
7 Sep 2026
Hot Hyundai Tucson N to surf in on thrilling new wave of performance models
Hyundai Tucson N render (watermarked)

Hot Hyundai Tucson N to surf in on thrilling new wave of performance models

Next-generation Tucson is set to be transformed into a sizzling, sharp-driving SUV thanks to innovative new hybrid tech
News
7 Sep 2026
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Family PHEV elite fight it out
Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Hyundai Tucson - front tracking

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Family PHEV elite fight it out

Plug-in hybrid SUVs offer the best of both words for dependable, efficient family motoring. Can Toyota’s latest RAV4 claim glory over its Mitsubishi a…
Car group tests
5 Sep 2026