How Windscreen Damage Affects Your MOT Result

Your car’s windscreen is more than just a pane of glass – it’s a crucial safety feature that affects visibility and structural integrity. If it’s damaged, you might be wondering: will it cause your car to fail its MOT? Understanding the rules around windscreen condition can save you both time and money.

Why the Windscreen Is Important in an MOT

The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets the minimum safety and environmental standards set by the DVSA. The windscreen plays a major role in driver visibility, which is why examiners carefully inspect it during the test. Even minor chips and cracks can be a problem if they affect your ability to see the road clearly.

MOT Rules on Windscreen Damage

The key factor is where the damage is located and how large it is. The DVSA splits the windscreen into zones:

• Zone A: The area directly in front of the driver, about 290mm wide and centred on the steering wheel.
• Zone B: The rest of the windscreen swept by the wipers.

For your car to pass the MOT:

• Damage in Zone A must be no larger than 10mm in diameter.
• Damage in Zone B must be no larger than 40mm in diameter.

If the damage exceeds these limits, your car will fail the MOT.

Common Types of Windscreen Damage

• Chips – Small breaks in the glass surface, often caused by flying stones.
• Cracks – Lines spreading through the glass, which can grow over time.
• Scratches – Often from worn wiper blades, affecting visibility in bright light or rain.

Even a small chip can develop into a large crack if left untreated, so it’s important to repair damage promptly.

When Windscreen Damage Becomes a Fail

Your vehicle will fail the MOT if:

• There’s damage larger than the allowed size in the specified zones.
• The damage significantly obstructs the driver’s view of the road.
• There’s excessive tinting or discolouration impairing vision.

If your windscreen is dirty or smeared to the point it hinders visibility, that can also lead to a fail.

Repair or Replace Before the MOT

Repairing a chip is often quick and inexpensive, and many insurance policies cover windscreen repairs. If the damage is too large, replacing the windscreen before the MOT is the safest option. This avoids the inconvenience of a failed test and the need for a retest.

Safety Beyond the MOT

Even if your windscreen damage is within legal limits, it’s worth considering the safety implications. A clear, undamaged windscreen gives you the best chance to react quickly to hazards. It also supports the vehicle’s structural strength in the event of an accident.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how windscreen damage affects your MOT result can help you avoid unexpected failures. Stay within the DVSA’s size limits for chips and cracks, and always prioritise repairs before your test date. A clear windscreen not only helps you pass your MOT – it helps keep you and your passengers safe.