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

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £1,481 off RRP*
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £11,700
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,266 off RRP*Used from £14,495
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,213 off RRP*Used from £10,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volkswagen Transporter Sportline brings GTI style to the van world
Volkswagen Transporter Sportline - front

New Volkswagen Transporter Sportline brings GTI style to the van world

The new Volkswagen Transporter Sportline gets a choice of diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric power
News
4 Feb 2026
Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss
Skoda Kodiaq - front cornering

Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss

Skoda’s sales and marketing boss warns “there will be a consolidation” of the number of Chinese car brands around
News
3 Feb 2026
Government spends £4.7 million on Ford Pumas, helping electric SUV top the sales charts
Ford Puma Gen-E - front tracking

Government spends £4.7 million on Ford Pumas, helping electric SUV top the sales charts

Over 1,200 Ford Puma Gen-E models were registered in January, each eligible for the £3,750 Government grant
News
5 Feb 2026