Rear wiper MOT

delsus

Heya guys my first MOT is due and I have a very slight tear in the rear wiper blade now I know it's a none tested item, but I'm hearing conflicting information, so I could anyone give me an up to date advice.

I have heard that if the wiper is there and it is damaged it will fail the MOT so you can just remove it (as it's none tested) but I have also heard that the tester is not allowed to fail the car due to the rear wiper (just give it an advisory)

So simple question which is fact and which is myth.

Thans for any advice.

SilverSaloon

wont fail - its not a testable item

Herzlos

Replace it? Will cost you a few quid and you won't have a smudged rear screen when it rains.

harveybobbles

Buy a new car.

Joe_Horner

harveybobbles wrote: »

Buy a new car.

Absolutely this. If a wiper blade's splitting then complete failure of all rubber items including tyres, brake seals, cam belt and the springing in your seat are only moments behind!!!

Just think, if you keep driving this death trap you'll suddenly find your engine exploding as you drop to the floor and can't see out the windscreen just as you're trying to deal with your brakes failing and multiple blow-outs!!!

---

Ok, now we've covered the usual advice that appears around here:

A non-testable item can't be failed because it is what it says - something that they're not meant to test. They can include advisories about non-testable just to be sure you're aware but, if it's non-testable then it can never fail for it.

Even if it was testable (say it was a front screen blade), the fail criteria for a wiper blade is:

"A wiper blade insecure, missing, or in such a condition that it does not clear the windscreen effectively to give the driver an adequate view of the road (through the windscreen) to the left and right sides of the vehicle, as well as to the front"

That means that a "small tear" should not be a fail - as long as the blade works well enough to maintain vision, that's all that's needed. Half an inch or so of tear isn't going to stop it doing its job. The manual is worded like that specifically to stop testers failing for "faults" that make no practical difference to safety, and any tester that tries should really be reported to maintain the scheme's standards

Obviously, there's a large element of subjective judgement in whether or not it's still doing its job but, if it clearly is working ok to a reasonable person and they fail it, then they're in the wrong.

SnowWhiterThanWhite

I was advised, by a garage, that if there is a rear windscreen wiper then it has to work in order to pass the MOT. However, if it is removed beforehand, then that is fine and will not be tested/failed

DUTR

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

I was advised, by a garage, that if there is a rear windscreen wiper then it has to work in order to pass the MOT. However, if it is removed beforehand, then that is fine and will not be tested/failed

The time it takes to remove it, the user may as well get the blade rubber replaced.

mrmot

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

I was advised, by a garage, that if there is a rear windscreen wiper then it has to work in order to pass the MOT. However, if it is removed beforehand, then that is fine and will not be tested/failed

Totally 100% incorrect advice.

rjhammond91

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

I was advised, by a garage, that if there is a rear windscreen wiper then it has to work in order to pass the MOT. However, if it is removed beforehand, then that is fine and will not be tested/failed

False. My rear wiper blade hasn't worked since I bought the car 3 years ago. It's obviously had MOT's and it has never failed due to this.