Skip advert
Advertisement

Car tool feature

Which car kit do the pros swear by? Here’s their top choices...

Pro tools choice

If you want a heads-up on ‘what’s hot and what’s not’ for your toolbox, ask a pro. Garage technicians have an in-depth knowledge of the tools needed to work on your car, which has been honed by years of trial and error.

These workshop wizards use tools every day that most home mechanics might dust off once a year, so they know what makes a good product. Most independent garage mechanics have to spend their own cash stocking their tool boxes too, so it makes sense for them to buy kit that will last! We headed to Whites Motors, a Unipart Car Care Centre in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to get the mechanics’ top tools.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Manager Matt Kendell revealed what he and his team can’t live without – and what he looks for when buying new kit. Of course, Auto Express goes to great lengths to test hundreds of products every year, too – and our Best Buys and Recommended equipment are superb indications of the leading products around. Because most of the brands Matt mentions are aimed at the trade, we’ve reminded you of our top picks from each test to help you find something similar.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,713 off RRP*Used from £10,970
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,585Avg. savings £6,027 off RRP*Used from £13,995
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,075 off RRP*Used from £7,195
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,588 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7
BYD Sealion 7 - front tracking

Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7

Second report: all is not rosy in the garden when it comes to driving our BYD
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2026
Kia PV5 Passenger vs Vauxhall Vivaro Life: can South Korea’s MPV beat a home-grown rival?
Kia PV5 Passenger vs Vauxhall Vivaro Life - front angled

Kia PV5 Passenger vs Vauxhall Vivaro Life: can South Korea’s MPV beat a home-grown rival?

Kia is entering new territory with its quirky van-based PV5 electric MPV. Vauxhall’s Vivaro Life is a benchmark rival, so can the South Korean newcome…
Car group tests
14 Mar 2026
Long-term test: Toyota Prius Excel
Toyota Prius Excel - header with charging cable

Long-term test: Toyota Prius Excel

First report: Surprises galore as Mk5 version of hybrid pioneer joins fleet
Long-term tests
15 Mar 2026