The best Lego for petrolheads

Here are some of the best Lego sets for young and old petrolheads of all ages and abilities.

Yes, Lego is hardly the cheapest toy. Some of the biggest sets cost hundreds. Nor is it especially easy if you are the type of person who frequently ignores instructions.

However, the process of building something is not only rewarding and beneficial to the old noggin’. You end up with something fun to play with at the end that can be endlessly modified or proudly displayed on a shelf, too.

So here are some of my favourite recent Lego sets, just in case you need a little gift-giving inspiration.

I would say it is worth shopping around as tasty price reductions do happen throughout the year. And be sure to check back soon as I will be adding more brick-based joy to the list.

Lego Ducati Panigale V4 R

Is Ducati the Ferrari of bikes? A case could easily be made with the brilliant Panigale V4 R, which in Lego Technic form is 646 pieces of awesome for anyone 10 years and older. At £55, it is also an affordable mechanically and visually pleasing collection of plastic and rubber parts.

On a similar note, it is one of the bikes in the videogame RIMS Racing, where you can take it apart and upgrade it digitally. Not a bad present for petrolheads in itself.

£55, Lego.com (age 10+)

Lego Land Rover Defender

The Lego Technic Land Rover Defender is another great Lego kit that, once all 2,573 pieces have been assembled, features a four-speed sequential gearbox, six-cylinder engine with moving pistons and a fetching olive green colour for all 42 centimetres of bodywork.

It has a recommended retail price of £150 although I have seen it for considerably less, making it a tempting purchase for car enthusiasts who love the big outdoors and off-roading.

£150, Zavvi (age 11+)

As much as I wish Santa would bring a real Bugatti Chiron down the chimney, I would settle for the £330 1:8 scale Lego Technic equivalent. Featuring 3,599 pieces, this is a more challenging proposition for those aged 16 and beyond. One that looks brilliant.

If you can surmount the build process, highlights include a detailed cockpit, a mighty W16 engine behind the seats, an adjustable rear wing for aerodynamic trickery and the iconic brake light that stretches across the entirety of its hypercar posterior.

£330, Lego.com (age 16+)

Lego Dom’s Dodge Charger

Despite not being as aesthetically pleasing as the real thing, Dom’s Dodge Charger in Lego Technic is still a great fun toy that will carry sentimental value for anyone who remembers Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) driving it like a rental in the original Fast & Furious movie.

It features 1,077 pieces, an age rating of 10+ and costs around £90 although I saw it for substantially less on Amazon. Worth checking out, especially for the fact it has a stand for wheelies and that famous exposed engine.

£90, Lego.com (age 10+)

Lego Garage & Car Wash

For younger or future petrolheads, you could give this rather cute mini garage and car wash set. It features not just an old American V8 and VW campervan, but also a furry quadruped, car brush, working barrier and even a fuel pump.

It is unclear whether this Lego set will encourage loved ones to clean your car for a shamelessly small fee, but there is certainly no harm in trying.

£85, Lego.com (age 2+)