Skip advert
Advertisement

Offset spanners

A drop-end spanner gives a fresh angle on car DIY jobs. We put six sets to the test.

Working on cars is rarely a simple affair, and often there are bolts that can’t be tackled by a spanner or a socket set, which is where these wrenches come into their own.

They go by a variety of names – swan neck, offset, cranked, drop end – but whatever you call them, they are a halfway house between a conventional flat spanner and a socket.

Unlike the latter, they can tackle recessed fasteners even when there is
a long length of thread exposed. Where they have an edge over flat spanners is that they’re easier to use when working hard against panels. They really could be the difference between getting stuck and finishing a job – but which set is the best for your toolbox?

Advertisement - Article continues below

The test
We started our evaluation by checking that the 10mm spanner in each set could withstand the 58Nm load demanded by the British Standard for these tools. Not only did we look for damage, but the spanner needed to show some flexing to ensure that if it did fail, it would safely bend rather than shatter.

Next, we factored in length, depth of offset (above), how tight bolts were held and ring size – a slim design is a good indicator of quality metal. Finally, we looked at value for money, balancing price against performance, the number of tools offered and whether a carry case was included in the cost.
 

Verdict

Unless you’re a professional, you won’t be able to justify shelling out nearly £53 for the superb Kennedy KEN-582-1970K set. So Draper’s 64607 is our Best Buy, narrowly pipping the equally impressive Sealey AK6321. We felt that the raper’s keener price and more reassuring load test results just outweighed the Sealey’s superior finish.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,825 off RRP*Used from £12,170
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,576 off RRP*Used from £12,854
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,647 off RRP*Used from £13,800
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £7,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025
Skoda Enyaq vs Toyota bZ4X: which SUV is the perfect family EV?
Skoda Enyaq vs Toyota bZ4X - front tracking

Skoda Enyaq vs Toyota bZ4X: which SUV is the perfect family EV?

Things don’t stand still in the world of EVs, and Skoda’s Enyaq and Toyota’s bZ4X have both been updated. We put them to the test...
Car group tests
13 Sep 2025
New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025