Wiper blades are one of the cheapest and most overlooked safety items on a car. They also cause MOT failures more often than most drivers expect.
How long do wiper blades last
Most wiper blades last between 12 and 18 months in UK conditions. Scotland has more rain and lower temperatures than much of the UK, which accelerates rubber degradation. If your blades are smearing, streaking, skipping or chattering across the screen, they are past their best regardless of age.
Signs your blades need replacing
- Smearing: leaving streaks of water rather than clearing cleanly.
- Streaking: lines of uncleared water running across the swept area.
- Skipping or jumping: the blade bouncing rather than making smooth contact with the screen.
- Squeaking: a consistent squeak on a clean wet screen usually means the rubber has hardened or has a nick in it.
- Frame corrosion: visible rust on the blade frame, which can cause the blade to lift away from the screen at the edges.
MOT and wipers
Wipers that smear the screen rather than clearing it effectively are an MOT failure. Checking your blades before your MOT takes 30 seconds and a replacement set from a motor factor costs between £10 and £30 for most cars.
How to find the right blade size
Wiper blades are not universal. Driver and passenger side blades on the same car are often different lengths, and different car models use different fitting systems (hook, pinch tab, side pin, etc.). The simplest way is to enter your registration number on any major motor retailer website. It will show you the correct sizes and fitting type for your specific car.
At Steins Garage we can replace wiper blades quickly as part of a service or as a standalone job. Call 0131 554 3423 to arrange.