MOT Windscreen Rules and Regulations for Cars

Last updated on August 11th, 2025What does this mean?

Depending on the type of vehicle you have, how old it is and what condition it’s in, an MOT is either a routine check or something to dread, something that may result in a hefty list of required expenses. While it might be common knowledge that our cars can fail an MOT for a faulty engine, a damaged exhaust or other mechanical issue, a pass or fail can also be determined by the condition of the windscreen. 

In this article, The Windscreen Company are going to look at the MOT rules regarding windscreens.

In Summary

• Get Your Windscreen Fixed: Why risk failing your MOT with a broken or damaged windscreen. Get it properly repaired for the safety of your vehicle and others on the road.
• Windscreen Damage Fails: Any crack or chip bigger than 1cm in the driver’s view can automatically fail. A crack larger than 4cm elsewhere is also enough to fail.
• Wipers and Washers Matter: Wipers that don’t clear the screen and washers that don’t spray enough fluid will also cause an MOT failure.
• Scratched Windscreens: Scratches themselves may not fail an MOT, but they can’t be repaired and weaken the glass, so replacement is needed.

MOT Windscreen Rules

MOT rules for windscreens mean that your glass will be inspected for things like cracks, chips and scratches, as well as the condition of your wiper blades and your windscreen wiper fluid. 

Many of the MOT rules relating to windscreens concern the driver’s field of vision.

• The rules state that a car will fail its MOT if the view from the windscreen is ‘significantly affected’ – if only the view of the sky or the bonnet is obstructed, then this is not grounds for failure.
• However, any scratches or damage that prevent the driver from having a clear view of the road will cause failure.
• Officially, these are defined as “materially affecting the driver’s view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen or an obligatory external mirror not visible”.

Will a windscreen crack fail MOT?

• To put some numbers to the aforementioned ‘field of vision’ points, any crack or chip greater than 1cm in the driver’s field of vision is an automatic failure.
• Any crack greater than 4cm anywhere else on the windscreen is enough to fail, too. In fact, driving with a damaged windscreen can be considered a motoring offence and therefore illegal; read our piece about the legality of driving with a cracked windscreen here. 

If you notice a crack in your windscreen ahead of your MOT, contact a trusted windscreen repair business like The Windscreen Company to repair or replace your windscreen – we’ll remedy the issue so that you needn’t worry about failing. 

Will windscreen scratch fail MOT? 

A windscreen scratch might not cause you to fail your MOT, but it’s important to note that windscreen scratches cannot be repaired. Many people try to polish the scratches on their windscreen – this may hide them somewhat, but the polishing can actually reduce the strength of the glass. If you notice a scratch on your windscreen, you will need to get your glass replaced as soon as you can.

Will windscreen wipers fail MOT?

You can fail your MOT because of your windscreen wipers, yes. Your windscreen wipers will fail your MOT if they are unable to clear your windscreen of dirt. A week or two before you take your car or vehicle for an MOT, test your wipers by dirtying your windscreen and seeing if they’re able to clean it. 

Your rear windscreen wipers are not part of the MOT, so you needn’t worry about them letting you down on the big day. However, you should ensure they’re working anyway for safety reasons, and have them repaired or replaced if they aren’t.

Will the windscreen washer fail MOT?

Windscreen washers can cause your vehicle to fail its MOT. If the washers are unable to supply enough cleaning fluid to the wipers, this can be grounds for failure. This washer failure can directly impact the windscreen wiper issue – if your washers don’t supply enough fluid, your wipers won’t be able to clean their screen, which is grounds for failure on its own.

Penalties for drivers without a valid MOT

An MOT certificate means that your car is safe and roadworthy. If your car fails an MOT, it will not be provided with a certificate until the relevant repairs have been undertaken and it has another MOT test. 

• Not only is driving without a valid MOT dangerous, but it also carries serious penalties.
• If you continue driving your car that has received a major fault in an MOT, you’ll receive a £1,000 fine.
• If the vehicle is deemed dangerous and you still drive it, the fine will be £2,500 and you could also receive penalty points and a driving ban.
• The only circumstances in which you can drive a car that has failed an MOT is if your current certificate is still valid and no serious issues have been found.

When to have an MOT test

For every vehicle that is more than three years old, it’s a legal requirement to have an MOT each year. You can have an MOT any time you want, but the best time to get one is around one month before the expiry date of your existing certificate. This way, you can guarantee your new MOT certificate will last a full year. 

Make sure your windscreen is MOT-ready 

An MOT test will check that your windscreen is in good condition. There are some things you can do yourself to ensure your windscreen passes an MOT.

• First and foremost, make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition and working as they should be. If they’re missing or in poor condition, be sure to change them prior to your MOT. Water not being cleared, rubber marks on the windscreen and tears from the rubber are all signs that your windscreen needs to be replaced.
• During the winter months, regularly de-icing your windscreen and keeping it clean are also good ways to ensure it remains in top condition before an MOT.
• Finally, if your windscreen is cracked or chipped it will almost certainly fail an MOT. Therefore, it is important that you get it fixed using a professional and reputable company before your MOT takes place.

As you can see, the condition of your windscreen, the wipers and even the washer is crucial to passing your MOT. If your windscreen has a chip, a crack, or you’re experiencing issues with your wipers and washers, don’t wait for your car to fail your MOT – contact The Windscreen Company today and we can repair or replace your windscreen so that you can keep driving.

The Windscreen Company

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The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.

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