Windscreen Damage

[d215yq]

Hi All,

Due to a stone chip I've had a small crack in the windscreen which has now become 4 inches. Any suggestions on the belkow two points would be gratefully received!

1) is there a good DIY method to stop it cracking further

2) The crack goes from the bottom left corner, and protrudes 4 inches out to roughly where the tax disc is applied. Its not in the line of sight at all (as the tax disc is there anyway) so will it be an MOT failure or not? - I've heard conflicting advice on this so far.

Many Thanks,

Ben

 

[vaio]

I don't think there is a fix to stop it cracking further. Regards the MOT I believe that so long it is not in the line of sight then you should be ok so long as the crack doesn't turn towards the A pillar, i.e corner to corner.
Check your insurance for recommended glass repairer and speak to them a repair would be free if it is possible.

 

[television]

By drilling a hole at each end of the crack, that will stop it,, then you resin fil the hole.

All windscreen shop can do this

 

[David Nock]

First, its not an Mot Failure if repaired and Yes it can be fixed quite simply. But not DIY as such. It will be probably free on the Insurance if you talk to them (they cancel the excess if you can follow the route I will describe).
A mobile windscreen repair technician will drill a minute hole in the glass at the end of the crack. That's to form a round end to the crack which stops stress so avoiding it cracking further. Then he/she will fill up the hole and the crack back towards the car body with a clear glass bonding filler.
Our Mazda was done like this 2 or 3 years ago and it's been fine. The windscreens cost a huge amount for this old 1985 car and I didn't want the dash disturbing on such an old vehicle. I didn't go through insurance and it was about £60.
I know the technician that did it but he's in South Yorks. I think all the mobile glass technicians do it these days.

Sorry Crossed with your post Malcolm. I wouldn't think that the ordinary guy would want to drill holes in glass. Obviously for brave people its possible as the fitter is a mere mortal. But if it's completely free via insurance - and windscreens don't affect NCB - why not get a guy in?

 

[brandwooddixon]

Regards MOT it will fail if the crack is within the swept area of the windscreen wipers. That applies to both sides - even the passenger side.

Even stickers will fail you on this. The only exception is made for the Tax Disc as display of one is a legal requirement.

 

[David Nock]

Aren't there zones which can be repaired and zones which cannot? Right in front of the driver is the 'No Repair Permitted' Zone". Outside this are the 'Repairs Permitted Zones'?
A mobile windscreen specialist will advise about the legal requirements before doing any work.

 

[brandwooddixon]

OK here's what I've found.

Windscreen Inspection Zones

Zone 'A is:
. in the swept area of the Windscreen
. 290mm wide
. centred on the centre of the steering
wheel.

1. In Zone 'A:

a. damage not contained within a
10mm diameter circle, or

b. a Windscreen sticker or other
obstruction encroaching more than 10mm

c. a combination of minor damage areas which seriously restricts the driver's view

In the remainder of the swept area:

d. damage not contained within a 40mm diameter circle, or

e. a Windscreen sticker or other
obstruction encroaching more than 40mm

f. a temporary Windscreen fitted.

Repaired windscreens
Repaired windscreens must be inspected to the same test criteria as original unrepaired windscreens. Repairs must be Judged solely on the basis of whether they interfere with vision. An 'invisible' or barely detectable repair, finished flush with the surrounding glass, does not count as damage even if it exceeds the limit on damage allowed in the test If these criteria are met, the position and size of repairs is not relevant for the purposes of the test.

Scratches
Scratches on the Windscreen, ie 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.

Grooved windscreens
Grooves in t-he windscreens which are designed specifically to clean the wiper blades are not subject to Reason for Rejection 1 unless they seriously impair the driver's view of the road.

 

[David Nock]

Mmmmm.... That's complicated enough.
I think what will happen in practice is that Ben's repair will still be just visible (ours is), but the MOT inspector will not be interested in a repair over near the tax disc, even if it just touches into the swept area. That will come under the 'does not interfere with vision' clause.

 

[CHEWIE]

Hi, as An ex windscreen fitter (NVQ), Autowindscreens, RAC , Autoglass and a couple of "Indies", If your crack reaches the edge of your screen, regardless of size or position...this is an mot failure! as it effects the "structural rigidity" of the vehicle, As modern "bonded screens" help hold the roof of the vehicle up if it rolls in an accident, instead of the screens (front and rear) popping out!
On the other hand you can have a crack the almost the entire width of the screen, if it is above your wiper sweep and does not reach edges! and this would not fail MOT.
The regs are a little vague when it comes to repairs/mot pass, as depends on tester, if he is short and looking "through" repair which he thinks effects "his" vision, he can fail it!...although you may be tall and the repair/damage is well below your line of sight!
Really what im saying is that there are regulations in place, but interpreted differently by different MOT testers.

 

[100%Bitch]

Why don't you just go to a windscreen replacement company and ask them how much it is to replace your screen. Quite often they will claim all monies from the insurance company, if not it's only a couple of pounds.

Moral, get to know a reputable windscreen replacement fitter or company owner.

 

[television]

Why don't you just go to a windscreen replacement company and ask them how much it .

With a new screen " all the better to see you with"

 

[100%Bitch]

With a new screen " all the better to see you with"

With a new screen " all the better to see you with" (so that they can aim at me with the gunsight before they run me over)

 

[television]

With a new screen " all the better to see you with" (so that they can aim at me with the gunsight before they run me over)

Nor at all, if it were me driving along I would probably think

"Oh I used to have one like that"

 

[kth286]

A new windscreen is the last thing you want if at all possible.

The number of cock ups that occur on fitting older bonded MERC SCREENS IS TESTIMONY TO THAT.

Nobody seems to know know to make it seal properly on 124s.

 

[jpbp200]

1. what kind of imbecile builds a car on wich the windscreen can never be replaced?
2. best solution: refit the seats 180 deg offset, engineer the steering to operate from the middle of the car, fit wipers to the window above the boot, drive in reverse!

 

[johno2004]

If you have it repaired through ur insurance at no cost or excess and it fail the next mot the insurance will replace the screen foc as a failed repair.

This is what i did.

Hope it helps

 

[sigman]

another quick answer is to shorten the wiper blade till the crack is out of swept area then its a pass for mot .

 

[ben12345]

A 4 inch crack is repairable, but you probably won't find anybody willing to do it, due to it already compromising the integrity of the windscreen.

If you're fully comp on your insurance, pay your £50 odd windscreen excess and get a new one, you wont regret it.

I can finally see through mine when driving into the sun now its been replaced. You'll be amazed at how many microscopic pits your old one will have if its the original.

 

[Pontyprop]

Does anyone know if windscreen insurance typically covers all glass or only the front screen?
I bought a 180 estate recently and subsequently noticed some scratching on the inside of the tailgate glass.
I took it to local MB dealer who said the scratches can not be removed and will require new screen. Trying to remove the scratches could damage the heater element/aerial.
It was suggested that I claim on my insurance, but when I pointed out that a stone chip is unlikely to damage the rear glass it was suggested that I "accidentally" drop my garage door on the glass!
Any thoughts?
:?: