I'd add another vote for a Henry.

I bought one about 15 years ago to clean the car/garage and generally be abused when cleaning up paint and brick dust after DIY jobs etc.

Completely indestructible and the same one is now also used in the house, as we realised it was better at cleaning carpets than the "Good" one we didn't want to ruin by using it for clearing up brick and plaster dust!

I use a cordless Dyson bought second hand for use on the car, sucks well but it could really do with a new battery now.

Aren't there any 12V ones?

I suppose such use might slightly shorten your car battery life, but you are unlikely to notice that, whereas replacing a Makita LI-ION is likely to hurt a bit.

I've considered getting a 12V impact driver but havn't so far absolutely needed one, though I came close when I was trying to take my alternator apart.

I use the portable Dyson.

A son uses his late Grandma's mains power electric vacuum cleaner. He took it when her house was cleared - 20+ years old he says it is better that the Black & Decker, the Makita car vacuums he had used in the past.

Another Henry (well, actually, Harry) user here. Use it in the house and the car - nice long flex, plenty of suitable tools

We have a Charles, bought it when we were refurbishing the house. Brilliant and despite plenty of abuse it still works perfectly.

In the house we normally use our aging Miele Cat and Dog which is even more ancient than the Charles but still works a treat. Only issue with it is the cost of bags, really expensive compared to the much larger Charles ones.

When we buy another cleaner it will be one from the Henry/Charles range with a Cat and Dog type rotating head.

MIL had a Dyson, total load of (expensive) tat. Did not suck at all but made loads of noise.

Got two Henrys - one up, one down. Charles for shampooing the carpets. Handheld Dyson in the kitchen. Oldest Henry is 21, still works perfectly. With the other one, he's about five I think, you can tell a few things have been cheapened but still great. i like the Dyson for a quick clean but it does feel a bit flimsy.

A small dustpan and hard brush beats “hoovering “car carpets any day, with a hard toothbrush for difficult small areas.

Combination of a brush and vacuum cleaner is best. Brush won't suck debris out of some areas.

A small dustpan and hard brush beats “hoovering “car carpets any day, with a hard toothbrush for difficult small areas.

Maybe if you have a lot of time - a quick whizz over with a vacuum is more than enough for me.

James here, a Henry without the cord reel-in fitment.

Tough powerful simple, where i work Henry's get used and abused for general clean up duties, some of it really heavy going.

"When you see builders vacuuming work debris up with these...."

That's what attracted me to the brand 20+ years ago. If it's robust enough for builders then cleaning carpets will be walk in the park for it.

I was wrong about saying I had a Charles - it's a George. Not sure what the difference is, it's a wet 'n' dry machine.