Most car accessories get bought once, used twice, and then live in the boot forever. These ten are different: each one solves a problem that happens to real drivers. For every item, we cover what it is for and what to check before you buy, because a cheap version of the wrong thing is worse than none.
1. A tyre inflator
A compact 12V inflator that plugs into the socket gets you to a tyre shop after a slow puncture and lets you keep pressures right, which matters for safety, tyre life and mileage. Look for an auto-stop feature that switches off at the pressure you set, and a cable long enough to reach the rear tyres.
2. A tyre pressure gauge
Petrol pump gauges are often inaccurate or broken. A small gauge of your own lets you check pressures cold, in the morning, which is when the figure on your door sticker applies.
3. A jump starter
A small lithium jump pack starts a flat battery without a second car. Check that its rating suits your engine size (diesels need more), that it has reverse-polarity protection, and recharge it every few months. Our comparison of a jump starter vs jumper cables helps you choose.
4. A proper torch
A bright rechargeable torch beats a phone light for a night-time breakdown, a tyre change or a dropped key under the seat. One with a magnetic base or a hook leaves both hands free.
5. A first-aid kit
Compact and inexpensive. Check it twice a year, replace anything used or out of date, and add any personal medicines you need on long drives.
6. A sturdy phone mount
Safer navigation and calls, and it keeps your phone off your lap. Mount it where it does not block your view of the road or sit in front of an airbag.
7. Microfibre cloths
A clean windscreen and mirrors are a safety item, not just cosmetic, especially at night and in the monsoon when smears catch headlight glare.
8. A power bank
Backup for phones when the engine is off. Heat is the main enemy of lithium batteries, so do not leave a power bank or jump starter on the dashboard of a car parked in the sun.
9. A pure sine wave inverter, if you work from the car
An inverter turns your 12V socket into a normal plug point for a laptop charger, camera charger or router. Choose pure sine wave for laptops, and remember the socket limits what you can run: a 200W unit suits electronics, not kettles or hair dryers. Our guide to what size inverter you need does the sums. If you only charge phones, a good USB car charger is enough.
10. A rat deterrent, if you park outdoors or in a basement
Chewed wiring is one of the most expensive problems a parked car can have, and it often shows up only as a warning light or a car that will not start. If your car sits in an open lot, near drains or in a basement, an ultrasonic deterrent under the bonnet is worth considering alongside clean parking habits. Read the real cost of a rat in your car to see why.
Pick by how you drive
| If you mostly | Start with |
|---|---|
| Drive in the city | Pressure gauge, phone mount, torch, first-aid kit |
| Take long highway trips | Tyre inflator, jump starter, power bank, first-aid kit |
| Work between site visits | Inverter, phone mount, power bank |
| Park outdoors or in a basement for days | Jump starter, rat deterrent |
The theme
The best car gadgets solve a real problem: getting you moving again, keeping you safe, or protecting the car while it is parked. Buy the ones that match how you use your car, check them a couple of times a year, and skip the rest. For pre-trip checks, see our road trip checklist for India.