Best car accessories

The best car accessories are rounded-up in this top 10. We've already seen how the car industry has changed in the 25 years Auto Express has been on sale. But there’s been just as much of a revolution in the world of car accessories. Developments in tyre technology have made motorists’ lives safer, while innovations in car care have changed the way we clean our cars. Plus, our models’ interiors are now filled with a wealth of gadgets.

Best car accessories 2013

Here, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best car accessories that have completely changed our lives behind the wheel. You’ll find examples of each of our top 10 innovations on sale today, but we’ve highlighted the pioneers in each category – things would be very different behind the wheel today without them.

1. Sat-nav 

First appeared in 1990, sat-navs have come a long way since the first systems of the nineties.

Pioneer made the first GPS-based navigation system for a car back in 1990. But not until 1998 did the tech become more freely available – that was when we tested Blaupunkt’s in-dash Berlin RCM003. This took days to fit, cost £3,000 and needed a host of kit just to get its position. In 2000, the US made a more accurate GPS signal available to the public, so sat-nav use became easier. And in 2002, Trafficmaster launched Smartnav, which gave voice directions linked to traffic info at the touch of a button. But it wasn’t until 2004 that TomTom launched its first portable sat-nav: the Go.

• Check out our round up of the best sat-navs 

2. Winter tyres

First tested in 2010, winter tyres are on all drivers' wish lists thanks to harsh weather.

Few British motorists had heard of winter tyres 25 years ago, but they’ve recently become a big talking point. Goodyear has been making them since 1971, and its UltraGrip7+ won our first winter tyre test in 2010. Nowadays, winter tyres are available in almost as many sizes as summer tyres. Grip in cold temperatures was massively improved when manufacturers added silica to winter tyre compounds. Not only does this keep the rubber flexible, it also improves grip on wet roads. Plus, it boosts fuel economy, too.

• Check out our list of the best winter tyres 

3. Performance bulbs

First appeared in 1991, performance bulbs have made a huge difference.

Performance halogen headlamp bulbs became popular in the early nineties, giving drivers a more focused, brighter light on the road. In 1995, Osram and Philips launched bulbs that claimed to be 30 per cent brighter than standard versions, and some makers now claim improvements of over 100 per cent. Philips introduced the xenon HID lamp to the market in 1991 – on this, the light source is an arc between two electrodes. LED tech is now moving things on, though – the first appeared in 2002, as indicators, brake lights and tail-lamps.

• Check out our round up of the best headlamp bulbs 

4. Bluetooth hands-free

First appeared in 1997, speakerphones are the latest take on 20-year-old Bluetooth tech.

Mobile phones became popular in the early nineties, and in 1994 Ericsson launched Bluetooth technology for data sharing. But a device we’d now recognise as a hands-free kit didn’t go on sale until 1997: the Bury ET cradle came with a microphone, speaker and phone holder, and had to be professionally installed. Five years later, Audi became the first manufacturer to fit Bluetooth in a car. The following year, it became illegal to use a handheld mobile while driving – and demand for earpieces and speakers took off. Modern Bluetooth hands-free kits have software to improve sound quality. 

• Discover top products in our round up of the best bluetooth hands-free kit 

5. Flat windscreen wipers

First appeared in 1999, flat-blade wipers are a big advance in wiper technology.

Windscreen wipers have been around since 1925, but in 1996 Bosch created a wiper blade made from two different types of rubber. Then, in 1999, the company started a revolution by launching the first flat blade – the Aerotwin – which was fitted as standard to the Mercedes SL. With a more aerodynamic shape, these wipers soon became popular, as they generate less wind noise and look great. Flat blades are fast becoming the standard on new cars, and Michelin has just unveiled its Stealth hybrid blade – a combination of flat wiper and conventional blade.

• Clear up your vision with our pick of the best windscreen wipers 

6. In-car digital music

First appeared in 1997, big changes in this technology mean drivers can now carry entire record collections in their cars.

In 1988, very few cars even had a CD player, as the cassette was popular. But in 1995, MP3 technology allowed audio files to be compressed. By 1997, motorists were ‘ripping’ tracks from CDs, converting them to MP3s and burning data CDs. Aftermarket manufacturers – some of which had spent millions investing in minidisc technology – quickly had to come up with stereos that could play these data discs. In the early noughties, dedicated MP3 players became popular. Apple launched the original iPod in 2001 and, since 2005, aftermarket makers like Clarion and Alpine have offered stereos fitted with 3.5mm auxiliary input sockets and USB ports.

7. Paintwork sealants

First appeared in 1995, paintwork sealants mean your car is now easier to clean.

First appeared in 1995 compared to conventional waxes, paint sealants are easy to apply – that’s why they became popular when they debuted in the nineties. They save you time cleaning, locking in shine by repelling water. Turtle Wax was the pioneer, launching Top Coat Sealer in 1995. Later named Gloss Guard (and now Platinum Extra Gloss), this topped our tests four times from 2001-2007. Armor All now makes modern sealants for paintwork, wheels and glass, too.

8. In-car digital radio

First appeared in 2001, Pure’s Highway revolutionized this technology, allowing users to get DAB via an FM radio.

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) has been around since 1995, but it took a while before motorists could tune in. Blaupunkt launched its D-Fire add-on box in 2001, and the first single-height digital radio – the Woodstock DAB52 – came in 2002. Ford became the first car maker to offer DAB in 2003. However, it was Pure’s 2007 Highway that made the tech accessible, allowing drivers to get DAB through their FM car stereo – and we named the windscreen-mounted device our Product of the Year 2008 as a result. Today, more than 40 per cent of new cars have DAB as standard.

• Further read: best DAB radios 

9. Microfibre cloths

First appeared in 2005, cloths replaced leather just as mitts took over from sponges.

Microfibre polyester cloths were initially developed in 1986, but the car care business didn’t really take them up fully until the noughties. These synthetic cloths have tiny threads one-fortieth the width of a human hair, and revolutionised the industry – microfibres became the go-to cleaning item, with their absorbency and large surface area. They’ve now replaced the chamois leather for drying your car, and microfibre cutting pads mean you don’t need aggressive foam or wire pads to repair scratched areas of paint.

• Check out more in our group test of microfibre cloths 

10. Realistic driving games

First appeared in 1993, driving games have now changed beyond recognition.

Sega's Outrun was as good as racing games got in 1988, but in 1993, Ridge Racer, Daytona USA and The Need For Speed brought smart graphics. By 1995, Sega Rally Championship cars had handling that reacted to the track’s surface. Then Gran Turismo launched on Sony’s PlayStation in 1997, shaking up the market with realistic cars and circuits. Now, games let you race real people around the world via online multiplayer modes.