Skip advert
Advertisement

Locking wheel bolts

Which locking wheel bolts will keep thieves at bay? We name the sets you can rely on from eight of the latest offerings...

You don't need the biggest, shiniest wheels in town to catch the attention of thieves - because there's a ready market among the criminal fraternity for all types of rims. Even steel wheels are not safe, as the tyres alone could make them attractive to crooks.

With wheel and tyre combinations often costing more than £1,000, it really pays to protect your rims. There are plenty of locking bolts and nuts on the market, but which are the best? We attacked eight to find out.

The test

Vehicle security expert Giles Verdon attempted to remove the bolts from a Volkswagen Golf MkIV as quickly as possible. Time and noise are the thief's biggest enemies, so top marks went to those products which required most of each to get off. We also looked at how easy it was to make a master key, and checked build quality by tightening each to well over the recommended torque.

Verdict

Our choice comes down to the McGard Ultra and Evo MKV yet again - both would stave off all but the most determined thief. Picking a winner from these two products doesn't get any easier, though, and in the end it was the few pounds' difference in price that clinched the victory for the McGard. Whichever you go for, protection at less than £10 per wheel is a real bargain.

1. McGard Ultra
2. Evo MKV
3. McGard Standard

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025