Washer fluid at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
5.0% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 458,180 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles 15 to 19 years old (5.5%) and least common on vehicles 6 to 9 years old (4.8%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 137 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the Volkswagen Fox, the BMW i3 and the Jeep Compass. On the Volkswagen Fox, 11.0% of failed tests had it, against 5.5% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Washer provides insufficient washer liquid”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
The windscreen washers don't give enough fluid for the wipers to clear the screen.
The MOT inspection manual lists “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “Washers must provide enough fluid for the wipers to clear the windscreen effectively.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen Fox11,461 failed tests | 11.0%1,265 tests | 2.0×all: 5.5% |
| 2 | BMW i33,412 failed tests | 9.4%321 tests | 2.0×all: 4.8% |
| 3 | Jeep Compass2,068 failed tests | 8.8%182 tests | 1.8×all: 4.9% |
| 4 | Ford Puma7,714 failed tests | 8.2%631 tests | 1.7×all: 4.8% |
| 5 | Cupra Formentor1,628 failed tests | 8.3%135 tests | 1.7×all: 4.9% |
| 6 | Hyundai Bayon793 failed tests | 8.1%64 tests | 1.6×all: 4.9% |
| 7 | Dacia Sandero34,857 failed tests | 7.7%2,699 tests | 1.6×all: 4.7% |
| 8 | Hyundai i2036,388 failed tests | 7.9%2,868 tests | 1.6×all: 4.9% |
| 9 | Ford Mustang1,481 failed tests | 7.6%112 tests | 1.6×all: 4.8% |
| 10 | Fiat 500E1,183 failed tests | 7.6%90 tests | 1.6×all: 4.9% |
| 11 | Dacia Logan4,435 failed tests | 7.4%326 tests | 1.6×all: 4.7% |
| 12 | Abarth 5953,579 failed tests | 7.4%264 tests | 1.5×all: 4.8% |
| 13 | BMW Z33,303 failed tests | 7.8%257 tests | 1.5×all: 5.1% |
| 14 | Toyota Aygo X686 failed tests | 7.6%52 tests | 1.5×all: 4.9% |
| 15 | Ford Edge1,443 failed tests | 7.2%104 tests | 1.5×all: 4.8% |
Only models where this defect is one of their 10 most common MOT failures, with at least 50 failed tests, have a figure. So a model that isn't listed can still have it, just less often than its other faults. Vans, pick-ups and taxis are left out, as in our rankings. × is the model's share divided by the share for all vehicles of the same age.
How common it is by car age
- Under 3 years, first used 2023 to 20244.8% of failed tests, against 5.0% for all ages523 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20224.8% of failed tests, against 5.0% for all ages32,743 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20194.8% of failed tests, against 5.0% for all ages100,765 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20154.8% of failed tests, against 5.0% for all ages160,703 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20105.5% of failed tests, against 5.0% for all ages121,548 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20055.1% of failed tests, against 5.0% for all ages41,898 failed tests
All-vehicle figures cover vehicles first used from 1985 to 2024: 9,185,328 of the 9,193,164 failed initial tests in 2025.
How these figures are counted
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. A defect found on more than one wheel, lamp or joint at the same test counts once. "Same age" is the defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the model's own failed tests in each year.
An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. These figures show where a defect was recorded, not why, and not what a repair costs. Figures: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. What the MOT checks: MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, GOV.UK, read 1 Nov 2026.
How we choose and rank these defectsOther windscreen, wipers, mirrors faults
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.