Scratched windscreen - MOT issue?

ManicMum

Hello

Trying to sell my car. The windscreen has been scratched by a piece of metal that was sticking out of the end of windscreen. I knew it was happening but was in a rain storm and was on a road where I couldn't stop. Anyway, it has been through 2 MOTs since then and has passed both times. However, a few folks who have looked at it have said this is an MOT'able problem. Is that true? If so, why has a reputable garage given it an MOT twice (rhetorical question!).

Thanks.

lofielectronic

If the scratches aren't deep you may find a polish will lessen their noticablilty, I've read good things about paste repair windscreen polishes working well in the past.

their is some guidance on this website here

There are a number of types of “damage” that will result in an MOT failure if they fall within the shaded zone of the diagram below. These include chips, cracks, stickers or significant scratches that are 10mm or bigger.
Obviously if it is just a screen sticker within or protruding over the area then the owner should be given the immediate opportunity to remove it. The other types of damage will need to be removed or repaired to enable the windscreen to pass inspection.

worried_jim

Sell it with a brand new MOT-problem solved.

arcon5

You can't be surprised potential buyers are finding problems like this surely? Any excuse to knock the price down a little.

epninety

The MoT Testers handbook (which you'd have found online if you'd bothered to look) describes the area of windscreen covered by the test, and also says :-

Scratches on the windscreen, i.e. light surface scratching, are not to be considered as damage. However, an area of concentrated scratching such as caused by the prolonged use of a defective wiper blade which obscures vision is to be considered a Reason for Rejection if it meets the fail criteria.

Assuming you meant the bit of metal was sticking out of the end of the wiper? If so, it's probably outside the area described for the MoT test which is roughly a vertical strip the width of the steering wheel, through the area swept by the wipers.