If a chip is in the drivers line of vision, it only has to be bigger than 10mm for your windscreen to fail its mot. Restricted visibility through a car windscreen is a common reason for a vehicle to fail its mot, around 8% of all mot failures are for this reason. However, even a 10mmsized damage on a cracked windscreen results in mot failure if it. Depending on where it is located, some windscreen damage will result in an mot failure if not attended to. I booked my car in for its nct recently and now a crack has appeared in my windscreen. In this post we will look at the current testing criteria for windscreens and what is and is not likely to result in an mot failure. Zone a is the 290mm wide section of your windscreen that is centred on the steering wheel. It also states that any combination of minor damage that seriously restricts the. In fact, if there is damage anywhere on the windscreen which is 40mm in size or bigger, your car will fail its mot. Introduction of new mot standards is a reminder that a. However mine has a slight scratch not a crack, noticable if you look for it 10cm long in the drivers line of sight. Anything larger than 1cm in the drivers field of vision, or 4cm anywhere else, is an automatic fail. A chip or crack on your windscreen can, depending on various factors. The tester admitted that because he is taller than me it is in his eyeline but not minethe chip has been there, unchanged, for 3 years.
Depending on where the damage has occurred, it will also result in mot failure. Aside from the mot, any damage to a windscreen should be checked straight away. Satnavs in the windscreen, furry dice, air fresheners or trinkets hanging from the mirror are not allowed. Any major structural failure in the windscreen affects the cars rigidity and structural integrity. Esprit demonstrate how they repair a cracked car windscreen using a four step process. Into sure about scratch i suppose it depends how deep it is. As a small windscreen chip could cause windscreens to crack or lead to cars. Introduction of new mot standards is a reminder that a damaged. As not all windscreen chips or cracks can be repaired, it is worth replacing the entire glass prior to an mot inspection. Driving over uneven or bumpy surfaces can turn a small crack into a big one very quickly. We even have a full mobile service for your ultimate convenience.
What does the highway code say about driving with a cracked windscreen. Mot test of windscreen visibility what is checked mot test. You can fail an mot for a variety of reasons, with some more obvious than others. Damage on your cars windscreen could result in an mot fail.
In the uk, a car will fail its mot test if the maximum damage size is 10mm in the drivers line of vision the a zone that vertical strip 290mm wide centred on the steering wheel, and if it exceeds 40mm elsewhere. Will a car fail its mot if it has a cracked windscreen. Thermal shock sudden and sharp temperature changes in cold weather. Worn wipers, dirty windscreens or no washer fluid are reasons for failure but cracks and windscreen chips are also a common cause. Chips or cracks in the windscreen directly in front of the driver. Is it illegal to drive with a cracked or chipped windscreen.
The mot specifies a windscreen area within the drivers immediate line of sight, known as zone a, where any crack or damage must be contained within a 10mm diameter. If theres a damaged area larger than 10mm in the drivers line of sight, its an mot fail. In 1996 the mot test was extended to include front windscreens which meant they had to be inspected for any damage from small stone chips, wiper scratches, cracks or any other type damage that may cause concern or impact a vehicles safety. Discussion in engineers talk started by tightenit, oct 9, 2006. Does this mean it will fail the test if it is not replaced. While the mot will check your vehicles windscreen for chips or cracks, you can get away with a small amount of damage. Can windscreen scratches and cracks cause an mot fail. A year on, its time for the mot again and im really not sure that it will pass. Im not sure though if this will be an mot failure or not.
If there was a crack in the windscreen and it is not properly repaired or replaced quickly, it could cause the windscreen to fail, making for dangerous consequences for you and your passengers. This is a vertical strip of the windscreen that is 290mm wide and is centred on the steering wheel. The crack will need to be fixed before being retested. Look out for any cracks or chips in the windscreen. Club sticker in windscreen where the tax disc used to go if it was a tax disc or parking permit it would pass 810mm crack chop in windscreen right in the edge of zone a. Damage larger than 10mm across will normally result in a failure if its in the azone, a 290mm wide band centred on the steering column and bounded top and bottom by the. The mot windscreen test includes all items affecting the drivers view of the. As it wasnt in the wiper arc, it lasted a while before it got damaged again, and did need replacing thats not a repair thats a bodge a modern bonded windscreen is an important part of the strengthintegrity of the shell, and that integrity would be compromised by a cracked screen. Whether you have a small chip or a large windscreen crack, motorway windscreens can help. Remember that if your windscreen has been repaired, the mot inspector will carry out an inspection of the new screen to ensure it allows clear vision and meets the necessary safety regulations. I have a very thin crack in my windscreen, which starts from about halfway down the left hand side of the passenger side, uk and extends out a fraction and then down to where my tax disc holder is. Youll need a whole new windscreen if the problems serious, but you might be able. Car owners never look forward to their mot because there are so many small things that can lead to a fail. But one area that is often overlooked is cracks or scratches in the car windscreen, the body glass or rear screen.
Similarly, if the windscreen is cracked or chipped, with the maximum damage size being on in the drivers line of vision, or in the area swept by the wipers, then you wont be able to get an mot pass certificate. Mot failure if the dangers of a windscreen chip dont convince you, then consider your next mot bill. You can easily check this by operating the wipers and the washers. The screen is divided into two areas for the purposes of the mot. The windscreen is actually part of the cars structural rigidity, as daniel said. A vehicle will be failed in its mot if there is damage anywhere on a windscreen exceeding 40 mm in size. It is also worth noting that the first failure will be recorded on the vehicles mot history, said alistair. Its only just happened and my cars booked in for its mot tomorrow so want to. Chips or cracks less than 10mm in the drivers line of vision wont cause your vehicle to fail. Cracked windscreen and mot off topic pigeon watch forums. We had a crack on r windscreen he gave us a warning about it to get it sorted asap but passed mot.
Windscreen damage is part of the official mot, and if you have a significant chip or crack that hasnt been repaired, you could fail the mot test. Small chips in your windscreen can turn into giant. What the law says about your windscreens and the mot test. Cracked windscreen is repaired via a 4step process youtube. The windscreen has a chip and horizontal crack on the passenger side see picture. No damage more than 10mm in zone a, 40mm in zone b, zone c non swept area is a slightly grey area but i do know you cant have a crack that touches the edge in 2 places. Damage can cause problems for the vision of a driver, particularly with glare and dazzling caused by sunlight or other vehicle headlights when. What are the regualations with regards scratches can anyone recommend something to polish it out. A crack of 40mm in length anywhere on the windscreen is an automatic fail. These are questions that are frequently asked by car owners facing their next mot and unsure if they should have their windscreen repaired or replaced prior to their test. According to the mot rules, the maximum damage size for a crack in the windscreen is 10mm if it is in the drivers line of vision. Filed under nct asked by patrick mcnally mayo fri, 17 mar 2017. Car problems that wont fail your mot mot tips rac drive. Mine has a crack about 9 inches long that runs parallel to, and about 2 inches from, the frame on the passenger side so it isnt in my line of sight at all.
Operate to give the driver a clear view of the road wipers and washers. Nor will any crack less than 40mm elsewhere in the remaining area cleaned by the windscreen wipers. If a chip anywhere on your windscreen is 40mm or larger in size, this will result in an immediate car mot failure. As well as domestic repairs and replacements, we also specialise in van and commercial windscreen services, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I jumped in the car today for the first time in 2 weeks and noticed its got a huge 15 crack right along the lower driver side of the windscreen. Windscreen wipers not clearing the windscreen effectively are another common fail. Although, if there is a 10mm chip specifically in zone a of your windscreen, this will also result in a failed car mot test. My grandad seems to think because its not in the line of sight and because its on the edge of my screen it will pass, but if anyone. If the blades dont clear the water effectively from the screen and leaves areas untouched or smears across the drivers view then this may result in a fail. However, even a 10mmsized damage on a cracked windscreen results in mot failure if it falls. Is it legal to drive with a cracked windscreen in the uk.
Windscreen damage and the mot restricted visibility through a car windscreen is a common reason for a vehicle to fail its mot, around 8% of all mot failures are for this reason. The legal requirement for mots is that, where a vehicle requires an mot, a pass certificate must have been issued within the last 12 months with leeway given for early presentation so yes, it will still show as having a valid mot until the expiry of the existing mot after a fail. Windscreen crack repair depending on the size of the damage, we strongly recommend getting a windscreen replacement if youve noticed a crack but if youre worried about a cracked windscreen and are looking for guidance, we can be contacted around. Windscreens dont shatter easily, but they do chip and crack, and when you hear that sound you should inspect your windscreen for damage. Even a small windscreen chip within a drivers line of vision could cause a windscreen to fail an mot test, so drivers hoping to pass their mot should make sure windscreens are repaired or replaced as necessary before an mot test takes place. Mot windscreens rules and regulations autoglass uk. So the windscreen being cracked does make the car unsafe, not just due to the impaired.
I was told that the car had passed its mot with this chip and crack as autoglass had filled it. But when it gets chipped or scratched, it can alter your driving experience. Washers will be required to work in order to pass the mot test. Keep in mind that even a small crack in the windscreen can cause a car to fail its mot. In fact, even the smallest chip within the drivers line of vision could be an immediate mot failure. The mot windscreen test includes all items affecting the drivers view of the road. This zone is the section of the windscreen that is 290mm wide and centred on the steeling wheel in other words, directly in the drivers line of vision. Will a windscreen crack cause your car to fail its mot. The inspector will pay close attention to the operation position and function of your wind screen wipers and washers. If there is damage of 40mm in size, anywhere on the windscreen, your vehicle will fail its mot.