Auto Express winter essentials 2026
We're here to help you find the perfect winter gift for any car enthusiast
The weather might still feel on the mild side, but winter is on its way, and if you’re in need of the ideal present for a car devotee then we’ve got it covered.
We have a fabulous selection of gift ideas to suit all budgets, featuring everything from car cleaning kit to dash cams, along with innovative snow socks for when the winter weather turns particularly icy and snowy.
Take a look below for some inspiration…
AlcoSense Excel personal breathalyser
- Price: £99.99
- Visit: alcosense.co.uk/excel
The AlcoSense Excel breathalyser is your trusty pocket saviour. It can quickly and accurately tell you when you’re clear of alcohol the morning after the night before. The Excel has a smaller version of exactly the same sensor used by several UK police breathalysers, while functions such as Advanced Temperature Compensation and Deep Air Sampling help ensure accuracy. Don’t leave things to chance after a night out - the Alcosense Excel is a device you can truly rely on with great value and an award-winning design included.
Autosock Snowsocks
- Price: from £49.99
- Visit: autosockdirect.co.uk
Don’t let snow and ice stop you getting around this winter. AutoSock Snow socks are textile coverings that fit over your tyres, maximising grip and traction to keep you moving in wintry conditions – and the perfect addition to your in-car safety kit.
Bunker Adjustable Work Stool
- Price: £90.00
- Visit: bunkerstorage.com
Unless you fancy crouching on a freezing concrete floor while you’re working on your car this winter, Bunker's adjustable stool will be a welcome addition to any garage. Its height can be adjusted pneumatically from 580 to 780mm, so you’re in the right position to work on brakes, suspension or wheelarches, and the 360-degree swivel seat lets you reach around without constantly getting up. The foam-padded, hard-wearing vinyl seat means you’ll be comfortable even on long jobs and the built-in tray holds your tools, so you aren't forever hunting for them on the floor. The stool is rated up to 130kg, and with a steel frame and a 10-year warranty, it's built to last, too.
GYEON Q2 CanCoat and GYEON Q2M Bathe+
- Price: from £22
- Visit: cleanyourcar.co.uk/gyeon
Looking for an easy way to protect your car’s exterior before winter? GYEON’s Q² CanCoat EVO ceramic coating could be just what you need. It can be used on pretty much any surface, including paint, metal, wheels and carbon fibre, and safely applied outside in fine weather – you just wipe it on and wipe it off using the supplied towel. There’s no problem using it to top up existing ceramic protection, and you can get between six and eight applications out of each bottle.
To make your car care routine quicker and easier this autumn and winter, try GYEON’s Q²M Bathe+. You can use it on all exterior surfaces, whether they’re coated or uncoated, and a quick wash with this highly concentrated pH-neutral shampoo leaves a water- and dirt-repelling layer, so your car stays cleaner for longer in between washes.
Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam
- Price: from £99
- Visit: nextbase.co.uk
A dash cam makes an essential purchase – and the Nextbase Piqo is one of the most compelling options on the market. Compact and stylish, it delivers crystal-clear recording to protect against the unexpected, while the standout feature is Emergency SOS – a potentially lifesaving addition that can automatically alert emergency services in the event of a serious accident. It's the kind of technology that quietly does its job every journey, and the kind of gift that offers real peace of mind for the whole family. Starting from £99 at nextbase.co.uk, it's a smart investment in safer driving.
Overland and Overland + jump starters
- Price: from £89.95
- Visit: mobilesolarchargers.co.uk
Winner of the Auto Express ‘Best Jump-starter pack’ tests for the past four years, the MSC Overland and MSC Overland + the perfect antidotes to a flat car battery. The units can be recharged either via the mains or an optional fold-out solar panel, and are also supplied with their own 12V socket to plug straight into your car.
Tetrosyl Demon Blast and Demon Ice
- Price: from £4.40
- Visit: mymotorworld.com
The New Generation of De-Icer
Forget standing around in the cold, leaning across your windscreen. There’s a new way to beat the ice.
Demon Blast’s ultra-wide, high-pressure blast reaches up to two metres, so you can clear your frozen screen from a comfortable distance. It works down to -25°C and melts ice in seconds, getting you on your way faster.
Meanwhile, Demon Ice brings 2-in-1 patented technology and one litre of great-value de-icing power. Spray it on the night before to help prevent ice forming overnight or simply use it the next morning to melt the ice fast. Effective down to -20°C, it even works after the ice is gone to help prevent re-freezing. Use with Caution 'cos it's a real Blast!
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