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

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £24,040Avg. savings £1,535 off RRP*
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,275Avg. savings £2,638 off RRP*Used from £7,195
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £6,058 off RRP*
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,045Avg. savings £3,528 off RRP*Used from £30,793
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BMW iX3 gets cheaper with ‘40’ trim added, and it’ll still go 395 miles
BMW iX3 40 - front tracking

New BMW iX3 gets cheaper with ‘40’ trim added, and it’ll still go 395 miles

The new entry-level iX3 has been revealed, and it’ll still do 395 miles of range
News
31 Mar 2026
Maybe I’m just getting old, but modern cars should be less complex to drive
Opinion - Paul Barker driving the Polestar 3

Maybe I’m just getting old, but modern cars should be less complex to drive

Editor Paul Barker wants his car to act more like a car, and less like a smartphone
Opinion
1 Apr 2026
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric 2026 review: plug-in estate makes a lot of sense
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric - front tracking

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric 2026 review: plug-in estate makes a lot of sense

Amongst the variety of Astra variants, the all-electric Sports Tourer is the most appealing
Road tests
1 Apr 2026