First Car Starter Pack: The Things You’ll Be Glad You Packed

Getting your first car is a big moment. Suddenly, you’ve got the freedom to go where you want, when you want, without checking bus times or asking for a lift.

But once the excitement of getting the keys has settled, there’s another question: what should you actually keep in your car?

You don’t need to fill your boot with everything you might possibly need. A few carefully chosen essentials can make everyday driving, unexpected delays and those inevitable little mishaps much easier.

Here’s our first car starter pack.

1. A phone charger

Your phone might be your sat nav, your music, your way of paying for parking and, importantly, your way of calling for help.

Keeping a charging cable that works with your phone in the car is an easy win. If your car doesn’t have a USB port, a suitable 12V adaptor can be useful too.

Just remember to set your navigation or playlist before setting off rather than reaching for your phone while driving.

2. A torch

Yes, your phone has one. But if you’re stranded at night with a low battery, you might be glad you packed a proper torch.

Check the batteries occasionally too. A torch that hasn’t worked since approximately 2019 isn’t quite as useful as it sounds.

3. An ice scraper and de-icer

They might sit untouched for most of the year, but the first properly frosty morning will make you very pleased you left them in the car.

Give yourself enough time to clear your windows properly before setting off rather than trying to peer through a tiny patch of windscreen.

4. Screenwash

Running out of screenwash is inconvenient at the best of times and can become a real visibility problem when roads are wet, dirty or salty.

Keep an eye on the level and consider carrying a small bottle of suitable screenwash for longer journeys.

5. A tyre pressure gauge or inflator

Correct tyre pressures matter for safety, handling, tyre wear and fuel efficiency.

Many petrol stations have facilities for checking and inflating tyres, but having your own gauge or portable inflator can make regular checks much easier.

You’ll usually find the recommended tyre pressures for your particular vehicle in the handbook or on a label inside the car.

6. A few emergency essentials

You don’t need to prepare for an expedition every time you leave home, but a small emergency kit is sensible.

A first aid kit, warning triangle, high visibility vest and warm layer or blanket can all be useful if you break down or find yourself waiting somewhere unexpectedly.

And while we’re talking about the contents of your car, a reusable shopping bag always seems to come in handy eventually.

7. Your breakdown details

If something goes wrong, that isn’t the ideal moment to start wondering who provides your breakdown cover.

Keep the relevant details somewhere easy to find and save the number in your phone.

It’s also worth knowing what your breakdown policy actually includes, particularly before a longer journey.

8. Sunglasses

Not just a summer essential.

Low autumn and winter sun can make visibility difficult, so a pair of sunglasses kept somewhere accessible can be surprisingly useful throughout the year.

9. Something to clean your windscreen

A clean microfibre cloth takes up virtually no room and can be useful for clearing condensation or keeping the inside of your windscreen clean.

Good visibility matters, so it’s one of those tiny additions that earns its place in the glovebox.

10. The important stuff you can’t put in the boot

Some of the most important parts of your first car starter pack aren’t physical items at all.

Make sure you understand your car insurance, know when your MOT is due if your vehicle requires one, and keep on top of servicing and basic maintenance.

It’s also worth thinking about how you’d cope financially if something happened to your car.

For example, if you’ve bought a newer vehicle using savings or finance, you may want to explore whether additional protection such as GAP Insurance is suitable for your circumstances.

Ready for the road

Your first car starter pack doesn’t need to be enormous or expensive.

Start with the basics, add things you discover you personally find useful, and every so often have a clear out. Otherwise, before long, your glovebox may contain three old charging cables, six takeaway ketchup sachets and a torch with batteries that stopped working years ago…