Don’t Let Worn or Faulty Wiper Blades Fail Your MOT

You might not know it, but excessively worn or damaged wiper blades are reason enough for your vehicle to fail its MOT.

Not only that, faulty wiper blades that fail to meet the MOT testing criteria are among the most common causes of failure.

Reassuringly, however, replacing wiper blades is an easy and affordable process thanks to Wiperblades.co.uk, so if you’re vehicle’s MOT is coming up soon, it is worth taking a moment to check your blades beforehand – it could save you a lot of time and money. 

What to Look For With Your Wiper Blades

It may seem like a simple thing but having fully functional wiper blades in good working order are considered one of the most essential assessments to occur during an MOT.

Before your MOT, take a good look at your wiper blades to check if there are any cracks in the rubber material or if the action leaves streaks across the windscreen that can obstruct the view ahead.

If you think the condition is detrimental to driving, it’s likely your MOT tester will think so too and potentially fail you as a result. 

Wiper Blade Pre-MOT Checklist

- Wiper Blade Condition: Inspect the blades themselves to make sure they aren’t damaged, split or worn. Even if you hadn’t noticed before in their performance, cracked wiper blade rubber is a sign that they need replacing and could fail an MOT

- Wiper Blade Performance: Get your wiper blades going and look closely for smears or gaps in the swipe. Wiper blades that fail to clean the screen sufficiently will be failed

- Wiper Blade Function: If the mechanism of your wiper blades judder or don’t sweep the screen fully as intended, it could be enough to fail an MOT.

- Washer Jets: A recent survey revealed that as many as 600 cars failed their MOT in 2025 because their washer jets didn’t work properly

What You Can Do to Avoid an MOT Failure

While fully functioning wiper blades are considered among the most important aspects of your MOT test, any replacements can be carried out easily and cost-effectively.

After all, while parts like brake pads, brake discs, windscreens and tyres are among the other areas of the vehicle that will come in for scrutiny from testers, it is likely you would need a trained mechanic to make any changes if necessary.

By contrast, making a judgement on your wiper blades is easy, so if you are in any doubt about their functionality, it would be wise to consider replacing them before your test.

How to Change Your Wiper Blades Quickly and Easily

Wiperblades.co.uk is on a mission is to prove why buying and installing wiper blades is cheaper and easier than you might expect… all with the trusted assurance that comes with offering premium brand names at unbeatably cheap prices.  
 
Indeed, you might be surprised just how quick and easy it is to change wiper blades – it takes just seconds to do it yourself.  
 
So forget pricey installation options to might make you think that it requires an expert hand to change wiper blades, but our easy-to-understand instructions will have you fixed and ready to go in seconds.   
 
And if you do need further guidance, Wiperblades.co.uk offers step-by-step video installation guides to ensure you get the job done. Or, if you'd prefer, get into contact with our customer service team. No fuss, no fees.  
 

When Is The Right Time To Change My Wiper Blades?

Wiper blades undergo a lot of stress when they are fixed to your car. As well as being a moving component exposed to the elements, the materials will inevitably wear down gradually when in use as they are making constant contact with the windscreen.

Indeed, wiper blades cope with more than simply wiping away water from your windscreen during rainy conditions – UV rays from the sun, deposits of oil from other cars around you, bugs and unforeseen debris all take their toll on them.

Wiper blades are designed to be durable and sturdy to withstand these challenges but they will ultimately wear down over time and if you don’t replace them, they could be classified as dangerous or illegal –your car won’t pass an MOT if this is the case.

So how do you know when to replace them? When driving, you might notice over time that the rubber blades will clear the windscreen less evenly, leaving some streaks of moisture in places. They may also start to squeak as the rubber encounters friction on the windscreen.

Regardless, it is recommended you change your wiper blades every 12 months to ensure you are getting optimum windscreen wiping performance.

If in doubt, you can inspect them close up and assess the blades for any blemishes, such as chips, tears and unevenness. If this occurs, then the time has come to get new wiper blades.