A torch was fitted in the end of the jump start, pointing directly at the clamps, although there were no flashing modes as on the MSC. Of the five attempts, it managed to turn the engine over four times, although they were all much slower and half-hearted than the Overland, a reflection of the lower capacity of 6Ah. On the fifth attempt, it failed altogether and at the end, there was around 60 per cent charge left. Not a terrible result, but we get the feeling that if there were any other engine troubles, it would struggle to start it. Winter will take its toll on you and your car. The colder, wetter weather and longer hours of darkness mean you are going to have to concentrate harder while driving. Your car, meanwhile, will use more fuel, and harsh salt on the roads will accelerate corrosion. For our starting test, each device had to assist an ailing battery on a 1.6-litre petrol engine, turning it over five times for five seconds, with two minutes in between attempts. This Clarke model has a monster Ah rating and was the heaviest of our trio, at 930g. The hard, zip-up case contained mains and car charging plugs, eight adapters for the DC 19V outputs and a four-way connector for most phones. It’s clearly designed with daily practicality in mind, not just for emergencies.

Our tests include putting the blades in a freezer overnight to ensure they stay supple in cold weather, and the Bosch Aerotwin came out on top. Lithium ion batteries with very low charge cycle requiring only approx 6 monthly recharge if not used. Electric Pressure Washers Petrol & Diesel Driven Pressure Washers Hot Pressure Washers Pressure Washer Accessories Detergents, Chemicals and Algicides Pressure Washer Spares Hoses & AccessoriesWe take the two thin strips of rubber that keep our vision clear completely for granted. They are expected to provide smear-free cleaning in the coldest, wettest weather. Includes vehicle aux power outlet (cigarette lighter) and mains chargers. Very compact and lightweight: 220x90x30mm / 1.37 Lithium Polymer batteries with very low charge cycle requiring only approx 9 hour monthly recharge if not used. The WBC180 is a heavy duty starter/charger, perfect for use in garages and bodyshops etc. Large wheels allow easy movement around the work area and the large ammeter at the top of the device provides a clear display of output current while in use. All perform well and our top four are particularly closely matched. The brand-new MSC just edges out the JSM300 Clarke, with Sealey’s recently launched RS600 chasing the leading pair hard.

Electric Heater Accessories Gas Cylinder Storage Gas Heater Accessories Propane/Butane Hoses and RegulatorsWith a whopping 18Ah on tap, the Plus version of MSC’s winner barely flinched at our starting tests, finishing with the battery state still at 100 per cent. Presented in a hard, zipped case, it’s dust/waterproof to the IP65 standard and comes with chargers for mains, USB and car. In addition, it has eight adaptors for charging a laptop; one worked well on our HP. It seems mean to have just one USB, but it has a multi-way cable to make life easier. Massively capable, if heavy, at 919g, this device can do almost everything. Lithium ion batteries with very low charge cycle requiring only approx 6monthly recharge if not used. Selectable 12V/10A and 19V/3.5A dc outputs with 8 adaptor plugs for use with laptop computers and other devices/accessories Machine Mart offers a range of jump starts for starting engines in the case of battery failure. We offer a heavy duty jump start which can be used for starting larger vehicles such as campervans. We also supply compact and more portable models suitable for smaller engines. A jump start can also be used to re-charge mobile phones and other electronic equipment, or even for inflating tyres, air beds etc. We tested Muc-Off’s HCB-1 and it did a good job of warding off corrosion for several weeks, or Ferrosol’s UB products will provide longer-term protection.

Upgrading the headlamps will make a real difference, because all of the products in our test claimed to offer 200 per cent more light than standard bulbs That will make driving on dark country lanes much easier and safer. Any driver who has been stranded in the snow, or had a ‘moment’ when driving through standing water, will know how crucial tyres are in winter. Many modern cars will have sophisticated LED headlamps, which have taken over from the equally bright xenon lights, which were popular on upmarket models a decade ago. But drivers of older and less expensive vehicles will still have to put up with the traditional halogen bulbs on at least some of their forward-facing lights. However, it was a huge surprise to find how well it performed on our test motor, easily turning it over five times and maxing out at a very healthy 130A. Its physical size makes it handy, but a case of some sort would have been good, not least for the leads.Includes vehicle aux power outlet (cigarette lighter) and mains chargers. Very compact and lightweight: 220x90x30mm / 1.37kg