First up, I cannot believe that it’s been 4 months since I wrote anything on here. If you know me personally then you’ll know the shit that we’ve gone through in the last couple of months. If you don’t you can find the gory details at my personal blog.

I thought I’d re-introduce regular (I promise!) posting to the blog by talking a little about the essential basic tools for Mini owners. That is, the owner that is looking to get their hands dirty doing bits and pieces, servicing etc. I have put guide prices (and links) for reasonably priced kit that will do the job. Not prices and links are correct at the time of this post.

1. The Haynes Manual

I really don’t care what anybody says, this is the number one tool for any Mini owner. All over the ‘net and forums are stories of how crap the Haynes manual is and how it’s only good as a door stop or for setting the chimenea alight on a cold summers evening.

When you’re stuck in the garage trying to figure out which fuse does what or what the correct gap is for the spark plug, there’s nothing more useful than the manual. The Haynes Manual should be the number one purchase after the car itself. Forget the chrome, spanky wheels or stereo, buy the manual. When the car doesn’t run there’s no point in having the shiny. £17.12 at Amazon

2. A Socket Set and/or Spanners

The preferred socket set or spanners to have are the old Imperial sets. This is because (unsurprisingly) the Mini is an old car. It was designed when Buddy Holly was in the charts and Metric sizing was a thing of the European future. Unfortunately, imperial spanners and socket sets are getting more difficult to find. Halfords only sell them as part of the full workshop kits and don’t even think about looking for Imperial rachet spanners! Socket Sets around £20 at Halfords

3. Screwdrivers

A variety, cross head, flat and phillips in different sizes. You can (if you must) use a screwdriver set with the interchangeable head. The problem with them is that if the handle breaksyou’re screwed. Or not, as it were. Invest the money and buy proper screwdrivers. Don’t worry about hex head or torque head drivers as the Mini isn’t that funky (unless you fitted them in the first place!) Screwdriver sets are available from many retailers including Halfords and Machine Mart

4. Feeler gauges

I listed these separately as they are (in my humble opion) that importants. Used for checking the gap on spark plugs, points (in the distributor) and the rockers, feeler gauges again come in imperial and metric sizes. It’s not really important which you buy as both measurements are listed in the book (No. 1). These gaps are essential for smooth running of your car and without feeler gauges you will not be able to set them accurately. Ten Quid at Halfords - but well worth the money.

5. Trolley Jack and Axle Stands

Yes, you can use your ordinary vehicle jack to get a wheel off the ground, but what if you want to lift both wheels? A trolley jack and a pair of axle stands are just what you need. The jack will raise the car higher than the crappy Mini one and the axle stands will allow you to make the car safe when you’re working under it. I never work under a car unless it is on axle stands. Trolley Jack £24 and axle stands £10 both at Halfords.

6. Oil Filter Wrench & Spark Plug Socket

If you’re doing your own servicing then these two items are essential. You can get the oil filter off by shoving a screwdriver through it, but that’s a bloody messy method. The oil filter wrench grips the filter as you turn the tool and just cracks off the thread. Without the specific spark plug socket you will never get the plugs out to change them. Filter Wrench £13. Spark plug sockets come with most socket sets.

7. Grease Gun

Minis are female. Everybody knows that. What’s even more important is that Minis have nipples. And yes, unlike the male’s nipples these serve a purpose! These are grease nipples. They are used to put grease into parts like ball-joints that wear through friction. This tool will allow you to put more grease into the joint (or fill it if you have replaced the part). A tenner at Machine Mart.

8. Halfords Trade Card

Ok, this isn’t essential. It’s also unlikely that unless you work in the motor trade you will ever get on. Tell you what though, it saves loads of money!

Many people (myself included) buy a complete tool kit. There’s nothing wrong with that as it will get you many of the tools that you will need for a reasonable price. Bear in mind that if you start beating your car with these tools they will break. That’s the price you pay. I bought the Dynamic 235 piece toolkit from Halfords a couple of years ago for £50. Halfords are still selling the toolkit for the same price. I have had to replace a couple of bits, one ratchet died and I have lost a couple of the sockets. It’s a great starter kit though.

I am sure that there are basic tools that I have missed. If there is anything obvious, please let me know and I will add them to the list.