We gather 11 different car shampoos and put them to the ultimate test
When thinking about car cleaning products, the first association has to be the best car shampoo because it’s both therapeutic and productive. For some, there’s nothing better than spending an afternoon getting busy and transforming a dull and dilapidated car into one that could quite happily sit alongside a Concours-ready Hispano-Suiza. The first step to getting that post-clean paint sparkle is choosing the correct car shampoo.
Car shampoos used to be fairly straightforward, a load of detergents that lived in a bottle and cleaned cars when run over the paintwork with a sponge. Those simple shampoos still exist, but now there are graphene, ceramic and wax-infused shampoos that provide protection as you clean. Waterless washes also exist, perfect for a drought season, even if they don’t have the same cleaning effectiveness as a watery type.
How we tested car shampoo
This mega test consisted of ten vehicles and multiple shampoos, all to be tested in one day. This meant a lot of water, bucket rinsing, and help from colleagues and staff to provide test subjects and the occasional hand.
To ensure the shampoo test was a fair one, we used the same area with the same water supply. The same Worx Nitro Hydroshot WG33.E cordless pressure washer, powered by a 4.0Ah battery with 56 Bar of pressure. The conditions were also the same, ensuring that we could inspect the finish of the cars in an equal setting. We used the two-bucket method, one containing clean water and product and the other a dirty bucket where we rinsed the dirt off the wash mitts.
The wash mitts themselves were Autoglym and ValetPro models with exactly the same design and materials.
What we look for in car shampoo
Primarily, grime removal is our top priority. If a shampoo can’t remove it as well as the next, points are awarded accordingly. Value for money is another, although we will award or deduct points accordingly, should an expensive shampoo perform better than a cheaper alternative.
A streak-free finish is a bonus as well as slickness. You want to feel proud of your detailing work after shampooing your vehicle, and these two aspects are what you’ll be persistent on achieving. Perhaps the least essential is scent; although because you’ll be spending a lot of time around your vehicle with a wash mitt full of shampoo, a good scent is a nice extra and can make the work a little less strenuous.
The best car shampoo tested 2025
McLaren Ceramic Wash and Wax
The best value ceramic shampoo
Expert rating: 4.5
We’ve come far on CAR Magazine, haven’t we? From Roger Bell’s road test of the McLaren F1 back in our June 1994 issue to all the wonders of the 2010s including the P1, 675LT, and so on. And lately, I’m reviewing the brand’s ceramic wash and wax shampoo.
Jokes aside, I was quite curious to see how this would get on. McLaren’s Car Care line sits on a slightly different side of the business to McLaren Automotive or its F1 division, and they’re surprisingly competitive on price despite the brand name. For all your £9.78 of 500ml of McLaren shampoo, how did it get on with cleaning an equally good-value Vauxhall Corsa?
The answer is spectacularly well. The car was filthy to begin with, yet the shampoo had no trouble dissolving and removing all of that dirt and leaving a shining white surface for the sun to reflect off. It feels smooth when applying, and you don’t really need to go around the vehicle twice to achieve a decent result. I was happy with the performance of the McLaren product, and it just happens to represent excellent value for money, too.
What’s more, the fact it’s ceramic-based means you get a layer of hydrophobic protection as well. Although, if I’m being really critical, that layer isn’t as slick-feeling as what Autoglym’s ceramic shampoo can provide.
Pros
- Adds a hydrophobic layer of protection to your bodywork
- Is very good value for money at under £10 for 500ml
- Amazingly capable at removing heavy dirt and grime
Cons
- Not the most comprehensive ceramic shampoo available
Ratings
- Grime removal 4.0
- Streak-free finish 4.0
- Slickness 5.0
- Scent 3.5
- Overall 4.0
Specifications
| Volume | 500ml |
| Washes per bottle | 10-15 approx |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Ceramic/hydrophobic |
https://saxon-brands.com/product/mcl4468/
https://products.carmagazine.co.uk/car-maintenance/car-care/best-car-shampoo
