Windscreen chip or crack
How it can appear on an MOT certificate
- “Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'”
- “Windscreen damaged in zone 'A' over 10mm”
- “Windscreen damage in the swept area over 40mm”
What it is
Zone A is the area of windscreen directly in front of the driver. Damage over 10mm in zone A, or over 40mm elsewhere in the area swept by the wipers, fails the MOT. Smaller damage is usually an advisory.
Why it matters
Chips and cracks can distract the driver and weaken the glass. A small chip can spread into a crack, especially with temperature changes.
What to check when viewing a car
Look across the whole screen, especially in front of the driver. Small chips can often be repaired cheaply; larger cracks usually need a new screen, and some insurers cover this.
Has the car you're looking at had this before?
Free: every MOT, every defect explained in plain English, mileage, tax and ULEZ.
What the MOT categories mean
- Dangerous
- A direct and immediate risk to road safety, or a serious impact on the environment. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's repaired.
- Major
- It may affect the car's safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. The car fails and should be repaired straight away.
- Minor
- No significant effect on safety or the environment. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Advisory
- Something to keep an eye on that could need repairing in future. The car passes.
Related: windscreen, wipers and mirrors
All MOT defects →Buying a used car?
General information about this type of MOT defect, not advice about a particular car. How serious it is depends on the car; have any car you're buying inspected by a qualified mechanic.