Your windscreen and wipers are your primary view of the road. A cracked screen or failing wipers are not just an inconvenience — they are safety hazards and can result in a failed vehicle inspection.
Windscreen Cracks and Chips
A chip in the windscreen must be assessed based on its size and position. In general: chips larger than 10 mm in the driver’s direct line of sight (A-zone — approximately the area swept by the wiper in front of the driver) require immediate replacement. Chips outside this zone up to 40 mm can sometimes be repaired with resin. Any crack that extends across the windscreen, into a corner, or is in the wiper sweep area must be repaired or the screen replaced before the vehicle passes inspection.
Wiper Condition
Wiper blades must clear the windscreen cleanly without streaking, juddering, or leaving large uncleared areas. Worn wiper rubber leaves the road surface blurred in rain — dangerous at any speed. Replace blades annually, or at the start of winter. Check wiper fluid — in winter use antifreeze washer fluid to prevent the reservoir and jets from freezing.
Exam tip: A cracked windscreen in the driver’s line of sight will cause a vehicle inspection failure. Insurance may also be affected in a collision if the screen was in a condition that impaired visibility.