Having a tool kit in your car is important in the case of an emergency or if you want to be prepared for anything, even helping a friend. You don’t want to take up too much space in your car’s trunk, but you also will want to have the right tools for the job.
We looked at multiple tool kits that would be appropriate for a car, van, SUV, or any kind of vehicle you may drive. Here are 11 of our favorite tool kits so you can find the best tool kit for car repair. We also chose various types of tool kits so you can choose what would work for your specific car or situation.
Our Top Picks for 2024
- Best Overall: DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Repair Tool Combination Package
- Best Socket and Wrench Set: DEWALT Mechanics Tool Kit and Socket Set
- Best Small Tool Kit: Hi-Spec 42pc Blue Household DIY Tool Set
- Best for a Large Ratchet Set: Milwaukee Ratchet & Socket Set
- Best Assortment: CRAFTSMAN Home Tool Set
- Best for Style: DEKOPRO Drill Set: Tool Set
- Best Deal: Prostormer 259-Piece Tool Set
- Best Gift Idea: RAK Universal Socket Wrench
- Best Ratchet Set for Cars: EPAuto 40 Pieces ¼-Inch & ?-Inch Drive Socket Set
- Best Tool Drawer: GEARWRENCH Mechanics Tool Set in 3 Drawer Storage Box
- Best for Deep Sockets: LLNDEI Drive Impact Socket Set
Best Overall: DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Repair Tool Combination Package
Key Specs:
- Black and yellow
- Stainless steel
- Chrome finish
What We Love About It
If you are looking for a standard tool kit with all of the pieces you may need at a reasonable price think this is the best tool kit for car repair or to just have in your vehicle, just in case. We recommend it because it provides a variety of tools, including a hammer, ratchet, various pliers, hex keys, wrenches, and sockets.
We also love the simple design with easy-to-grip handles and durable material. It has corrosion protection thanks to the chrome finish and when you open the carrying case, all of the tools are available, easy to identify, and easy to access.
Best Socket and Wrench Set: DEWALT Mechanics Tool Kit and Socket Set
Key Specs:
- 142 pieces
- Metal
- 1/4 & 3/8 inch drives
What We Love About It
This tool kit is great for those who are looking for a varied set of wrenches and sockets since this set features 57 different sockets and 10 combination wrenches. DEWALT tools have DirectTorque Technology which prevents rounding. All tools are labeled to allow for easy identification.
The fantastic aspect of these ratchets is that they have a tooth count of 72, which allows you to work in tight spaces since it only requires a 5º arc swing. We also love the durable case that these tools come in, making it a great emergency tool kit. For car repair, this kit can easily fit in the trunk or behind the seat and will be out of your way until you need it.
Best Small Tool Kit: Hi-Spec 42pc Blue Household DIY Tool Set
Key Specs:
- Blue, red, yellow, or pink
- 42 pieces
- Rubber and steel
What We Love About It:
If you are just looking for something small that isn’t too overwhelming but will have enough of what you need, this tool kit is the best tool kit for car repair. This simple tool kit includes a hammer, pliers, scissors, both a Philips and flat-head screwdriver, and measuring tape.
What we love most of all is that this kit comes with an adaptable screwdriver with 12 precision bits and 16 standard bits so you can deal with various fasteners without needing so many tools. We also like that this comes in a small and well-organized case so you can fit it under your car seat or place it in your trunk without taking up any space.
Best for a Large Ratchet Set: Milwaukee Ratchet & Socket Set
Key Specs:
- Chrome vanadium steel
- 1/4” and 3/8” drive
- 106 pieces
What We Love About It:
If you are looking for an expansive and reliable ratchet set, we recommend this best tool kit for car repair since it contains 106 pieces, mostly made of sockets. These sockets are varied with square, flat, and hex socket heads so you can use them for various applications. Although this set is on the pricey side, many who have purchased it find it to be worth the investment since it is a tool kit that will last.
We love how organized the case is, allowing you to easily identify the socket you need. The set is also made of durable chrome vanadium steel so it will last and stand up to hard jobs. The only negative about this set is that the ratchets don’t have a socket release button.
Best Assortment: CRAFTSMAN Home Tool Set
Key Specs:
- 102 pieces
- Black
- Fiberglass handle
What We Love About It:
For variety, we recommend this as the best tool kit for car repair or just general repair needs. This kit contains everything you will need, including a hammer, screwdrivers, various pliers, a set of ratchets as well as various sockets and screwdriver adapters. The handle of all tools provides a comfortable grip to make for easy work.
We love how quickly it is to identify the socket sizes as they are properly labeled and they are easy-to-access from the case. This is also a great tool kit to have around the house since it can easily be tucked away in an easy to access place that is out of the way. We also recommend this for a first-time driver since it is easy to use and has all the necessary tools.
Best for Style: DEKOPRO Drill Set, Tool Set
Key Specs:
- Lithium-ion
- 126 pieces
- 8 volts
What We Love About It:
This tool kit contains everything you need including a drill, and it also has a cool carrying case and comes in a pink color, which makes it the best tool kit for car repair that you can get with style. This also makes a great gift for the daughter or granddaughter who is just getting an apartment or house and will need a tool kit.
Made of alloy steel, the tools in this kit are built to last and they have comfortable grips making repair work easy and painless. The case also comes with fasteners, a drill, and six drill bits. Users who have smaller hands have mentioned how much they like this set since everything doesn’t require a large grip to be used.
Best Deal: Prostormer 259-Piece Tool Set
Key Specs:
- 259 pieces
- Chrome finished
- Black and blue
What We Love About It:
This large toolset is the best deal because it is a 259-piece set at only $79.97. As the best tool kit for car repair, we find it to have a great assortment of tools, with a wide enough range to get most jobs done easily. Although it is a kit with many pieces, it still comes in a convenient carrying case that can be easily stored in your trunk or under your seat.
We like that this tool kit contains some items that other kits don’t have such as clamps, a mini hacksaw, and a pair of wire cutters. This makes it a great gift idea, but it also may come in handy for a home or apartment since it has those extras.
Best Gift Idea: RAK Universal Socket Wrench
Key Specs:
- Stainless steel
- Fits 1/4” – 3/4” or 7mm – 9mm
- Hex drive
What We Love About It:
This is a unique item, and although it won’t replace a full tool kit, it will help you to cut down on the sockets you may need. This is the best tool kit for car repair since it can adjust to any socket between ¼ – ¾ inches or 7-9 mm that you will need. A great gift idea for anyone who wants to be handy but doesn’t want to carry around too much, this universal socket can fit bolts, wings, hooks, nuts, and even damaged fasteners.
We love that it’s made of hardened steel spring pins so it can easily grip a fastener and maintain its structure. This item can simplify your car toolbox, and you won’t have to go digging for the right socket, just this one handy tool. It also comes with an adapter for a drill so you can use it outside of just a regular ratchet.
Best Ratchet Set for Cars: EPAuto 40 Pieces ¼-Inch & ?-Inch Drive Socket Set
Key Specs:
- 40 pieces
- Chrome vanadium steel
- One ratchet
What We Love About It:
Although we’ve already highlighted a ratchet set, we wanted to acknowledge this affordable ratchet and socket set, which we believe is the best tool kit for car repair and maintenance. It’s also a great kit to have in the house since it is an expansive set of sockets (34) and comes in a convenient and easy-to-store carrying case.
Other than a ratchet and sockets, this kit also comes with a spinner handle that can allow you to access hard-to-reach areas. Tight spaces will also be accessible with this ratchet since it has 72 teeth, meaning you don’t need a lot of swing space to use it.
Best Tool Drawer: GEARWRENCH Mechanics Tool Set in 3 Drawer Storage Box
Key Specs:
- Alloy steel
- Polished finish
- Hex drive
- 232 pieces
What We Love About It:
If you want something that you can tuck in your truck and keep out of sight, but is easy to access, then you want this drawer storage box. It is the best emergency tool kit for car repair or any work you need around the house because it is a large set that contains a range of socket sizes.
We love that the ratchets in this set are 90-tooth, which means they have only a 4º swing, making it easy to work in tight places with little room to turn the ratchet. Many who have purchased this set acknowledge that it is the only set you need for a car.
Best for Deep Sockets: LLNDEI Drive Impact Socket Set
Key Specs:
- 95 pieces
- Black phosphate finish
- Hex drive
- Chrome vanadium steel
What We Love About It
This drive impact socket set is the best tool kit for car repair because it has deep sockets for a ratchet. This means that you can really get a good hold on nuts and bolts as well as fasteners that are deeper. It comes with one 72-tooth quick-release ratchet as well as a spinner handle and the various adapters for that tool.
We also love that this comes with a spark plug socket, which will come in handy if you have an older car and can replace your own spark plugs. Since these are impact sockets, they also are highly durable and heavy-duty. This is a great kit that comes with a convenient carrying case that you could throw in your trunk and won’t take up a notable amount of space.
How We Chose the Best Tool Kit for Car Repair
In order to choose the best tool kit for car repair we looked for tool kits that contained the right tools for the job, and that meant ratchets, sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Since those are the main items you will need for care repair, we looked for that aspect. However, we also wanted to include kits that had regular items you may need for various projects as well as kits that had a wide variety of items to cut down on the need for purchasing other kits and tools.
We also looked into kits that had durable tools and also had tools that could fit and maneuver in small spaces. This is because working on a car can get tight and it’s important to find ratchets that have a high tooth count so you don’t need too much space to turn it effectively. The best tool kit for car repair depends on what you need and the type of car you have, but we hope this list has a kit that will work for you!
