allthegearandnoidea Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Will a car fail it's MOT if it has a cracked windscreen? 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 isn't in my line of sight at all. I'm not sure though if this will be an MOT failure or not. The insurance company will fix it under my policy but I don't fancy shelling out the excess to have it done if it doesn't need it. The last time I had a windscreen replaced a stone hit it and cracked the new one within 2 weeks and **** law says it will happen as soon as it is replaced again! Cheers for your responses guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 (edited) Not sure about a crack 9" long, doesn't sound very safe and I don't think that would pass. I know that you can have cracks sealed (free on comprehensive policies) if under size of 5p in side your wiper area (as I have these) but not sure about within drivers area. It's usually £50 - £75 to have windscreen replaced by insurance company and I'd go down this route. Just found this info MOT Windscreen checks and it doesn't mention the area outside the wipers so you might be alright. Edited August 27, 2008 by Dr W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 pop into any MOT test centre and ask them for a quick yes or no.... they have strict rules and a plastic template for OK or not OK decisions. sounds unsafe anyway..... £25 can get you a repair to stop it getting worse or if fully comp you can often get is done free... as a repairer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthegearandnoidea Posted August 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Cheers for that guys, from the description given on that website it may be ok. Why would it be unsafe though? Just more likely to completly cave in? I think that I have a £75 ish excess to pay to get it replaced, doubt that it is fixable, but I'll ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artful badger Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 its unsafe because the screen is about 25-30% of the structural integrity of the roof in a roll over. If its all ready broken it wont absorb as much of the initial, often biggest impact to the roof in a rollover situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 i would say no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 by unsafe I was meaning it suddenly going (cracking all over) as it is now weak and has a fault line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 I last worked as an MOT Tester in 2002 & as Dr W stated any damage outside the swept area of the wiper blades you were not allowed to fail a vehicle on,although you could issue an advisary. Interestingly enough I never found a minimum size listed for wipers. I have not heard of any change to these rulings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 i stopped testing mots in 2005 and if it was bigger than 35 or 40mm i think in any of the swept area it was a fail im affraid and any bigger than 10mm in the direct area in front of the steering wheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Come on, 9" crack in the windscreen, that's gonna be a fail anywhere - other than perhpas Beruit and some parts of Georgia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 I've got a 9" crack with a 'starburst' and a 'bullseye' and it's never failed me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 If it's in zone B (swept area of wiper) and over 40mm it's a fail. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusk2dawn Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 If it's in zone B (swept area of wiper) and over 40mm it's a fail. LB Had a small crack on the def that just extended into the edge of the swept area pass side,...... fitted smaller blades D2D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scout Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Had a 6 inch crack in the wind screen of a mondeo last year, not in th swept area, but MOT tester took 1 look and failed it, nothing else even looked at. Maybe he was having a bad day, but there was no way he was letting it pass with such a big crack. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, hopefully your tester will have had a massive night of passion the night before your MOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerico Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 I've got a 9" crack with a 'starburst' and a 'bullseye' and it's never failed me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 i have a bullseye in mine, just off center, and its passed for the 3RD time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 It wont pass if it cant be covered with a 5p i beleive, its definately a coin but cant remember which one. A 9" crack will not pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 passenger side ! Its ok and shouldnt fail If it does tell them your sending the Wabbitbosher in to sort em out ! WB, CPC holder IMI member since 1984 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 Today I had 2 chip repaired for £25 One was 15mm dia very crazed. I am happy with the result. Not too much money either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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