MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE

Open the bonnet of a new car and you may think the days of the DIY mechanic are over. But all those panels and covers shouldn’t prevent you doing basic jobs yourself, and keep visits to the professionals at a minimum.

By tackling a few under-bonnet jobs like cleaning, lubricating and checking leads, pipes, belts and electrical terminals, you’ll be able to save cash. Even simple jobs such as plug and oil changes are well within the capabilities of most amateur mechanics. So, here’s what you can do and the best tools for the job...

Pliers

WINNER - Halfords 10 Piece Pliers & Wrench Set  - £14.99
You don’t expect top quality with 10 tools for £15, but this set from chain store giant Halfords surprised us. They might not look great, but every tool worked well, breezing through our cutting and grip tests. The tools are well chosen – we really liked the needle-nose lock-grip pliers – plus you get three decent-sized adjustable spanners, so little needs adding. Superb performance and a cracking price make this our top set.

COMMENDED - Yamoto YMT-558-9830K - £16.44
It’s back to basics with this set of no-nonsense tools. Yamoto has provided decent sizes, smooth opening and closing and comfortable handles that can take pressure, while the blades and jaws work just like they should do. A great pack if you just need pliers and side cutters.

COMMENDED - Clarke PRO119 - £31.71
Tool giant Clarke goes its own way with this set, as there is no case or combination pliers. But what you get is excellent – it feels like it’s from the firm’s pro range. There’s a pair of water pump pliers, plus the side cutters had the smoothest sprung action here.

Screwdrivers

WINNER - Yamoto YMT-572-2080K - £11.73
You certainly get plenty for your money with this Yamoto set, but its cheap price isn’t its only attribute. The tools all passed our durability tests easily and the handles, with their triangular shape, gave great grip, allowing lots of force to be used. The range is well thought out, too, and could only be improved by including a cross blade stubby. For about a tenner you get a great set that’s perfect for any DIY car mechanic.

COMMENDED - Kennedy Pro.KEN-572-6030K - £27.95
Three times the price of the Yamoto, but the Kennedy covers more options and uses similar high-grip handles. If your arm is not enough, then there are drive nuts cast into many of the tools’ shafts – for a little extra turning power from a wrench

COMMENDED - Franklin 6999 - £30.14
The Franklin was the most expensive in our test, but the tools are made from highly durable S2 steel, and the metal shafts run right through the handles on all but the smallest tools. Great quality, and but for the omission of some stubbies, a potential champion.

Foot Pumps

WINNER - Michelin Single Barrel - £9.87
Attention to detail secures tyre giant Michelin the victory in this category. The footpump’s gauge is accurate, there are neat, handy clips to secure the helpfully long hose when not in use, and there’s a built-in box to store all the adaptors. Add in a keen price plus good pumping power – it added a useful 4psi in our test – and you have to look no further for a champion foot inflator

COMMENDED - Michelin Twin Barrel - £13.87
Anyone who has ever used a foot pump knows that stability is key, and few come near this well built Michelin unit for easy pumping. Similar attention to detail as our winner (above), so a good alternative for those who need twin-barrel grunt.

COMMENDED - Sealey Heavy Duty Pro - £25.50
Price hurts this offering from tool specialist Sealey, although you get a lot for your cash. It’s only single cylinder, yet it packs a real punch, adding 6psi for our 30 pumps. It also has a super long hose at more than 80cm – and gauge accuracy was the best on test.