The UK is fast becoming a nation of mechanics. Research from Money Saving Heroes reported in GarageWire found that 57% of people buy spare parts in an attempt to conduct their own repairs. Yet, to do these fixes effectively, you need to have the right equipment on hand. To help you do the job just right the first time round, here are some must-have additions to your garage.

Get the right tools

There certain tools essential for any DIY mechanic. First, get a selection of wrenches, drives and screwdrivers in various shapes and sizes.

Axel stands are a must-have if you are working on the underbelly of your vehicle too. If you are working on a heavier vehicle such as an SUV, trolly jacks are a worthwhile investment since they are designed to cope with vehicles weighing up to (and often over) a ton.

Other tools you should consider include an impact wrench (for removing stuck bolts), vacuum pump (useful for finding leaks in vacuum lines), and an air ratchet (for quickly attaching nuts and bolts).

Sort out your storage

Without proper storage, your garage DIY space will be cluttered and difficult to work in, and you may find yourself misplacing expensive tools, frustrating your progress.

Installing wall storage can be a good idea if you have many tools and lots of consumables like nuts, bolts, and lubricants to hand. Just make sure to properly label the compartments to you can quickly find what you need and put tools away when you’re done.

A more hard-wearing, padlocked storage area is also a good investment as a means of protecting your power tools, as these can be very expensive to replace if thieves strike. And if you have several batteries on the go at any one time, a cold storage area will keep in them in good condition for longer.

Invest in essential items

Alongside tools, you’re also going to need a few other items to make sure you’re completing maintenance tasks the right way.

A hood light is a must-have if you find yourself working deep within the engine, or deep into the evening. Protective equipment like goggles and gloves are also important, as well as cleaning products to get rid of oils and fluid spillages after messier jobs.

Funnels are also very useful when working with lubricants, and a fuel can will make life easier when working on vehicles with no tax or MOT that can’t be driven to the petrol station (yet!).