“A socket set or mechanics tool set is a must if you plan to maintain any engine, from your car to a leaf blower. To a mechanic, they are as essential as a hammer and nail are to a carpenter,” says O'Donnell. “Even though a good set can be reasonably expensive, they will last a long time.

Different sizes of sockets, mostly in metric, will come in handy. Sockets will allow you to get to almost any part of the engine or anywhere else on a vehicle. Pliers are an essential tool for any auto mechanic because they allow easy gripping of electrical or narrow objects during repairs.