Leading tool firm Black...

Leading tool firm Black & Decker has launched a raft of automotive accessories recently, from power invertors to a 12V cool box. Now it has turned its attention to hand tools, and applied its expertise to the new Auto Wrench.

The first thing you notice is that this adjustable spanner is battery powered. It’s the first tool of this kind that we’ve ever come across, and it makes opening and closing the jaws easy, as all you have to do is flick a switch.

It uses AAA batteries and is slim enough to work in cramped conditions. But don’t fret if you run out of juice, as you can turn the knurled adjuster manually, too. The tool extends to a useful 30mm opening, but we found there was a little too much play in the jaw to hold on to a nut or bolt securely.

The Auto Wrench is tough, though. We dropped it several times from waist height on to a garage floor and found no damage, while the electrics remained intact. The only real drawback is the price, as it’s on the high side. Other than that, this is a decent piece of kit.