Car Accessory Must Haves: Essential Purchases For Your Vehicle

Whittling down all the possible car accessories down to the absolute essentials is tricky. Have you seen the amount of gimmicky adverts and products out there? Let’s create two clear boxes: the must have vehicle accessories and the ones you can safely give a miss. When choosing accessories, you should always keep function in mind. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Investing in Accessories Is Essential

A freshly bought car is great, but any frequent driver knows the difference a few minor tweaks can make. By making a few investments, you can relax and enjoy your vehicle more.

For some basic accessories for new car owners, these boost the safety of your driving experience. Great examples of this are car window hammers and basic first aid kits; both must buy car accessories to stay safe on the road.

Others are a question of luxury. Some car accessory must haves are valuable as they dramatically increase comfort while traveling, like non-odor car mats and dashboard phone holders. These factors make driving easier and more enjoyable. Who wouldn’t want that?

5 Best Must Have Car Accessories

When choosing must have accessories for cars, you’ve got to weigh up the factors you most value: safety, comfort, or entertainment. Ideally, you’ll be able to choose a couple for each category, especially concentrating on ways to promote safety on the road.

So, what are the must have car accessories? It’s a competitive list, but these items will most positively impact your driving experience.

1. First Aid Kit

A first aid kid is one of the car essentials for new drivers. One in 5 new drivers have an accident in their first year of driving, so having emergency equipment on hand is a great idea.

With that said, it’s also one of the essential accessories for new car owners. Having first aid equipment means you’re better able to help all road users should they get into difficulty. With a new vehicle, you’re starting from scratch with furnishings, and who knows who you could help.

2. Trunk Organizers

A trunk organizer is easily one of the must have car interior accessories. It doesn’t matter if you use your vehicle for cross-country road trips or twice-daily school runs. The ability to securely store fragile items and keep track of otherwise rogue belongings is a blessing.

3. Emergency Repairs Kit

It isn’t just people you should be ready to “fix”; it is vehicles as well. One of the “must need car accessories” is an emergency repairs kit. It should contain vital equipment like jump leads, a reflective warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge, and, ideally, a spare tyre or two.

You never know what you may need on the road, and staying prepared is the best way to go.

4. Dashboard Phone Holder

This one is all about comfort. When listing car must haves, accessories must include a good dashboard phone holder. These attach to the front of your vehicle, allowing you to safely use your mobile for navigation without craning your neck.

5. Aux Cords and USB Chargers

These two come joint place as our final “car must accessories.” Aux cords allow you to play music through any type of car, even when there’s no Bluetooth or you have connectivity issues. USB chargers are lifesavers when you’re running out of phone charge on the road — especially if you’re using it for directions.

What Accessories Should You Buy For A New Car?

Every car should have basic safety gadgets and modern comforts. We touched on it briefly, but what are the must have accessories for new car purchases? If you’re specifically starting from scratch, we’d give you slightly different advice than the more general list above.

These are the five things you should always keep in your car; buy these ASAP when purchasing a new motor:

1. A first aid kit.

2. An emergency repairs kit.

3. Quality car mats.

4. A satnav or phone dashboard holder and USB charger.

5. Weather-dependent products, like de-icers.

You can pick up most of these accessories online, although some may require custom fittings.

Have You Forgotten The Most Valuable Accessory?

There’s one extremely valuable accessory that we’ve not yet covered in-depth; car mats. Choosing the right mat for your vehicle is incredibly important, as it’s your first line of defense against interior wear and tear.

Your floors get well and truly battered, even for those who agree that they’re mostly “school run drivers”. All it takes is a spilled drink, and without proper mat protection, you’ve got an extra job on your hands cleaning up. Or, in the worst-case scenario, the liquid goes undetected and spreads dampness and mold through your vehicle. This can actually cause long-lasting damage and impact your car’s overall lifespan.

It’s safe to say that you’re better off having protection from the get-go. And the most effective material for protective car mats is EVA. EVA is an odorless, water-resistant thermoplastic that’s lighter than rubber yet outlasts carpet — averaging a lifespan of five years. If you want essential car accessories that last, check out custom front car mats.