It includes some unique touches, such as a clear, red LCD screen which obviously shows the state of play for starting. 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. Lithium Polymer batteries with very low charge cycle requiring only approx 9 hour monthly recharge if not used. 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.

Our favourite breakdown warning devices go one stage further, adding flashing lights to make them even more visible. Additional outputs include two 12V dc accessory sockets (cigarette lighter type) and a 5V USB connector allowing the unit to power a wide range of portable equipment such as mobile phones, laptops etc. Beyond the basics, there are other accessories which we think will make life easier for you and your car this winter. The versatile Jumpstart 1224 has the power to start engines requiring 12 or 24 Volts using 2x22Ah batteries.However, upgrading them for new blades every 18 months or so will make a real difference to your visibility and ensure that driving in dark, rainy conditions is much less stressful. Machine Mart Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, register number 703528 and acts as a credit broker and not a lender.

At 16Ah, it’s (just) the second-highest capacity on test and is IP64 rated against dust and moisture. Wait until everything has dried and then carefully apply a specialist coating to parts that might be starting to look rusty. The bag with straps to hold everything securely is handy, but we’d have preferred a more protective case. There’s a tough case, the OLED display shows percentage charge, and the unit has three USB sockets: two 18W USB-A plus a 60W USB-C.The tough textile pouch offers lots of room, but the sliding panel over the leads has a strong spring and plugging in was a bit tricky. Using the wipers alone will just create smears; combine that with a winter sun that is low down in the sky and it can be a real hazard when driving.