Parking aids

Cars are getting bigger with every new launch, but the average garage isn't, so the chances of a scrape or a ding when parking your motor are increasing.

Even if you manage to get your car in the garage without damage, there is always the problem of trying to squeeze out of it and the potential for scraping a door on a wall. With mobile SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technique) repairs costing around £100 a panel and bodyshop fixes much more, it pays to have help when parking, especially as cars' factory-fit sensors leave too much space to be useful in a garage's tight confines.

But what kit should you choose? To find out, we tried garage-mounted parking devices, which aim to stop you hitting anything in the first place, and protective pads, which are designed to prevent damage if you accidentally do.

The test

With the pads, we used a scrap door and a trailer to simulate in-garage bumps and scrapes, and looked for the protectors and metalwork to survive unscathed. We also factored in value for money, as sizes varied. For the sensors, we 'parked' several times, checking for accuracy, consistency and ease of use.

Verdict

For total protection, we'd go for a combination of products, and the Garage Parking Guides and Protector Set included them in one reasonably priced package. The yellow mat made parking in the right spot easy, and the twin foam blocks can be used on the walls to protect car doors. For gizmo fans, the Garage Parking Signal was extremely accurate and well priced. The Door Guard in third was good value and offered a range of size options.

1. Garage Parking Guides and Protector Set
2. Garage Parking Signal GPS1
3. Door Guard