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

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,310Avg. savings £2,713 off RRP*Used from £9,995
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,840Avg. savings £4,834 off RRP*Used from £11,490
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,250Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £8,995
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £24,040Avg. savings £1,535 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Jaecoo 5 SHS-S finally means hybrid power for this compact SUV
Jaecoo 5 SHS-S - front tracking

New Jaecoo 5 SHS-S finally means hybrid power for this compact SUV

Chery’s latest hybrid powertrain brings the Jaecoo 5 SUV bang up to date
News
15 Apr 2026
New Nissan Juke revealed with sharp origami-inspired design and EV power
New Nissan Juke unveiled in Japan - Auto Express editor-at-large Phil McNamara stood next to the car

New Nissan Juke revealed with sharp origami-inspired design and EV power

“No compromise” design for Leaf’s baby brother, which is bigger and more spacious than today’s combustion-engined Juke and goes on sale in a year
News
15 Apr 2026
New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo: EV hatch gets massive update, Golf-a-like look and lots of buttons!
Phil McNamara with the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo

New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo: EV hatch gets massive update, Golf-a-like look and lots of buttons!

The new Volkswagen ID.3 Neo EV banishes the quirkiness of its predecessor with a less cartoonish look and smarter tech
News
15 Apr 2026