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7 brilliant Which? Best Buys to keep your car looking its best
With over a decade of experience at Which?, Tom covers everything from tech advice to money-saving tips, and highlights the best deals during major sales events.
Keeping your car looking its best can feel like a losing battle in winter. Muddy roads leave the bodywork caked in grime, while wet shoes and paws quickly make a mess of the interior. Even a short journey might mean your car needs another clean.
Fortunately, having the right products to hand makes the job much easier. A Which? Best Buy car shampoo helps shift stubborn grime, for example, while a handheld vacuum is handy for tackling crumbs, pet hair and other mess inside your vehicle.
Below, we've rounded up some high-scoring car cleaning products that impressed in our independent tests, from affordable cleaning essentials to handy accessories that could make great gifts for someone who takes pride in their car.
On this page, Which? members will have exclusive access to:
- Best Buy products to help keep your car looking its best, backed by our rigorous tests
- Our expert verdicts on car shampoos, pressure washers, handheld vacuums and more
- The standout features and potential drawbacks to consider before buying
If you’re not yet a member, you can join Which? to get instant access. You will also get access to all our full product reviews.
1. A car wash kit for a gleaming finish (94%, Best Buy)
A good car shampoo can make a noticeable difference when you're trying to get your vehicle looking its best. Some products also include a separate treatment designed to give the paintwork an extra shine.
This Best Buy impressed our experts with its ability to shift mud and leave the bodywork with a mirror-like finish. The thick foam clung well to the car during testing, helping to lift dirt and get the doors spotless.
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2. A wheel cleaner that tackles stubborn grime (86%, Best Buy)
Cleaning your car's wheels can take a bit of effort, particularly when brake dust and road dirt have built up. A dedicated wheel cleaner could save you some scrubbing.
One product stood out in our tests, leaving wheels looking almost new with very little effort needed to wipe away the dirt. Its thick, foamy formula impressed our experts with how effectively it tackled stubborn grime.
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3. A handheld vacuum for hard-to-reach dirt (82%, Best Buy)
A handheld vacuum can be particularly useful for cleaning your car, especially when you don't want to drag out a full-sized machine. The right attachments can also help you reach awkward spots around the interior.
Our highest-scoring handheld vacuum impressed us with its performance on car seats, picking up small debris with ease. It also comes with a dedicated attachment for tackling pet hair, which performed brilliantly in our tests.
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4. A powerful pressure washer for stubborn dirt (77%, Best Buy)
If you've got a driveway, patio or decking that could do with a clean, investing in a decent pressure washer might be worthwhile. You can use one to give your car a thorough wash, too, provided you choose the right settings.
One model impressed our experts with its cleaning performance across a range of surfaces. It left our test car looking spotless, with no oily marks or streaks, and also delivered excellent results on concrete, block paving and decking.
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5. A scratch remover that buffs away minor marks (92%, Best Buy)
There's nothing quite as annoying as spotting a fresh scratch on your car's paintwork. Fortunately, some minor marks can be tackled at home with a suitable scratch remover, potentially saving you a trip to the garage.
Our experts tested a range of scratch removers, but one stood out from the competition. It did an excellent job of removing shallow scratches after just a few applications, while also making deeper marks noticeably less visible. The results even held up through five car washes.
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6. A handy hose attachment for easier rinsing (72%, Best Buy)
A decent hose gun gives you more control over where the water goes, whether you're rinsing your car or watering plants around the garden. Some have several spray settings, so you can adjust the flow to suit the job.
Our featured Best Buy has three spray patterns, which held their shape impressively well even when we reduced the water flow. Our testers also praised its lightweight, well-balanced design, making it comfortable to use for everyday watering jobs.
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7. A stain remover for mucky floor mats (97%, Best Buy, Great Value)
Muddy footprints and accidental spills can quickly leave fabric car mats looking worse for wear. A suitable carpet stain remover could help freshen them up, although it's important to check that the product is safe to use on your mats first.
One affordable stain remover sailed through our tests, tackling everything from curry and ketchup to red wine. It impressed our experts on both fresh and dried stains, earning our Best Buy and Great Value recommendations. Our tests were carried out on household carpets rather than car interiors, so bear that in mind before using it on your vehicle.
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