Your Windscreen and the MOT

The MOT test is an annual check on the roadworthiness, safety and emissions of most vehicles older than three years to ensure that they meet road safety and environmental standards.

Windscreens and the MOT test

The MOT test covers the condition of the windscreen plus that of the windscreen wipers and washers.

You car may fail its MOT if:

• The washers do not provide enough liquid to clear the windscreen in conjunction with the windscreen wipers
• The windscreen wipers are missing, insecure or in poor condition so that they do not clear the windscreen to give the driver a clear view of the road ahead
• The windscreen is chipped or cracked. The maximum damage size is 10mm in the drivers’ line of vision (a vertical strip 290mm wide centred on the steering wheel), 40mm elsewhere in the rest of the area swept by the wiper blades.

Even a small windscreen chip within a driver's 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 Windscreen repairs

As a small windscreen chip could cause windscreens to crack or lead to cars failing the MOT test, it's important to repair (or replace) to an acceptable standard before your MOT assessment.

BTE Automotive can quickly arrange a repair chipped windscreens to British standard BS AU242a:1998, so windscreen repairs are flush with the surrounding glass and almost invisible.

However, not all windscreen chips can be repaired. Cracked windscreens or badly chipped windscreens will need to be replaced before an MOT inspection occurs.

Penalties for driving without a valid MOT

Driving without an MOT carries the risk that you will be fined up to £1,000, as well as potentially invalidating your motor insurance - itself considered a driving offence that will get you between six and eight penalty points.

You also need a valid MOT before you can tax your car if it is older than 3 years and you can be fined for driving an untaxed one.

So, you need a valid MOT to be able to drive your vehicle on the road (unless you are driving it to us for an MOT test centre for a pre-arranged test).

When to have an MOT test

Once your vehicle is three years old it has to have an MOT test every year (certain vehicles such as taxis and ambulances have to be tested when they are one year old and vehicles registered prior to 01 January 1960 are exempt).

After the first test, you can renew your MOT up to one month before it expires. Check your MOT pass certificate for the earliest date you can do this, or set up a FREE MOT reminder via text, post or email with our service advisors.

Make sure your windscreen is MOT ready

It's easy to make sure that your windscreen is MOT ready with BTE Automotive. Simply schedule a FREE inspection today and have your windscreen repaired or replaced before your MOT test.