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 £25,235Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £11,600
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,588 off RRP*
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,308 off RRP*Used from £10,495
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,213 off RRP*Used from £10,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Vauxhall, Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot fire risk: Over 390 models recalled amid fuel leak fears
Vauxhall Frontera Hybrid - dynamic front 3/4

Vauxhall, Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot fire risk: Over 390 models recalled amid fuel leak fears

392 more Stellantis cars have been recalled in the UK due to a faulty high-pressure fuel pipe which is thought could lead to fires
News
6 Feb 2026
Tesla has dropped its Standards: entry-level Model Y and Model 3 renamed
Tesla Model Y - front 3/4

Tesla has dropped its Standards: entry-level Model Y and Model 3 renamed

Just a few months after Tesla introduced the Standard name for its more basic models, it’s been dropped
News
6 Feb 2026
Five new Hyundais on the way: Kona, Bayon, Tucson, i20 and Ioniq 3 to reinvent brand’s range
2026 Hyundai Bayon - front

Five new Hyundais on the way: Kona, Bayon, Tucson, i20 and Ioniq 3 to reinvent brand’s range

New Tucson, i20 and Bayon – and Ioniq 3 EV – coming in an 18-month product onslaught
News
5 Feb 2026