1LEGO Technic McLaren P1 (42172)
LEGO's 1:8 scale McLaren P1 is a 3,893-piece build for adults, and it works like the real thing in miniature. There's a 7-speed gearbox, a V8 engine with moving pistons under a removable hood, butterfly doors and an adjustable rear wing. Finished, it's about 59cm long.
Pros
- Working 7-speed gearbox and V8 engine.
- Butterfly doors and adjustable rear wing.
Cons
- 3,893 pieces, so it's a long build.
- Needs a 59cm space to display it.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
LEGO product page ↗
2NOCO Boost Plus GB40 jump starter
A flat battery on a cold morning is every driver's nightmare, and this sorts it without waiting for help. NOCO's GB40 is a 1000-amp lithium jump starter for petrol engines up to 6 litres and diesels up to 3 litres, good for up to 20 starts per charge. It also charges a phone and has a 100-lumen torch.
Pros
- Up to 20 jump starts per charge.
- Spark-proof with reverse polarity protection.
- Doubles as a power bank and torch.
Cons
- Diesels over 3 litres need a bigger model.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
NOCO product page ↗
3Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3
The Dash Cam Mini 3 is about the size of a car key, so it tucks away behind the rear-view mirror. It records 1080p video with a 140-degree view and a built-in polariser that cuts windscreen glare, saves footage automatically if it detects an incident, and responds to voice commands.
Pros
- Small enough to hide behind the mirror.
- Saves footage after an incident.
- Voice control.
Cons
- Needs a memory card.
- Parking features need constant power and a subscription.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Garmin UK product page ↗
4Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax
For people who wash their car every Sunday. Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax cleans and leaves a layer of carnauba and polymer wax at the same time, which keeps the shine going between proper wax jobs.
Pros
- Washes and waxes in one go.
Cons
- It tops up wax, so it won't replace a full wax.
- Bottle size differs between the UK and US.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Meguiar's product page ↗
5High Road TrashStash car bin, black
A car bin sounds dull, but it's the gift that keeps a cherished car tidy. The TrashStash hangs from a headrest and has a spring-loaded lid that stays shut, so rubbish and smells stay inside. The lining is leakproof and wipes clean, so there are no bin bags to buy.
Pros
- Leakproof, wipe-clean lining.
- Lid stays closed.
- No liners needed.
Cons
- Takes up some rear legroom.
- Not much of a surprise as a present.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Amazon UK listing from High Road ↗
What to buy someone who loves cars
Car parts are specific to the make and model, so they're best left to the owner. The best gifts for car lovers work with any car, from cleaning kit to gadgets for the road. Check whether they love driving, detailing or both. A LEGO Technic car suits the dreamers as well as the drivers.
How we picked these gifts for car lovers
We picked each product for what car lovers enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
