Windscreen wiper at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
6.8% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 626,910 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles 3 to 5 years old (15.3%) and least common on vehicles 10 to 14 years old (5.3%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 222 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the Suzuki Celerio, the Hyundai Bayon and the Lexus NX. On the Suzuki Celerio, 23.2% of failed tests had it, against 6.6% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
A wiper blade that is missing or obviously doesn't clear the windscreen.
The MOT inspection manual lists “Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “Windscreen wipers must continue to operate automatically when switched on.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki Celerio4,653 failed tests | 23.2%1,080 tests | 3.5×all: 6.6% |
| 2 | Hyundai Bayon793 failed tests | 48.9%388 tests | 3.3×all: 14.8% |
| 3 | Lexus NX2,983 failed tests | 27.2%812 tests | 2.9×all: 9.5% |
| 4 | Renault Arkana1,030 failed tests | 38.0%391 tests | 2.6×all: 14.8% |
| 5 | Suzuki Alto14,890 failed tests | 13.2%1,960 tests | 2.5×all: 5.2% |
| 6 | Toyota C-HR14,401 failed tests | 27.5%3,961 tests | 2.5×all: 11.1% |
| 7 | Nissan Pixo3,746 failed tests | 12.9%483 tests | 2.5×all: 5.3% |
| 8 | Peugeot Rifter1,758 failed tests | 32.9%578 tests | 2.4×all: 13.5% |
| 9 | Mitsubishi Mirage2,055 failed tests | 14.7%303 tests | 2.4×all: 6.1% |
| 10 | Hyundai Ioniq 5723 failed tests | 35.3%255 tests | 2.3×all: 15.2% |
| 11 | Fiat Swift705 failed tests | 24.7%174 tests | 2.3×all: 10.6% |
| 12 | Toyota iQ4,202 failed tests | 12.0%504 tests | 2.3×all: 5.3% |
| 13 | Vauxhall Viva8,150 failed tests | 14.8%1,205 tests | 2.2×all: 6.7% |
| 14 | Suzuki Ignis4,096 failed tests | 20.2%828 tests | 2.2×all: 9.3% |
| 15 | Mitsubishi Colt8,549 failed tests | 12.5%1,068 tests | 2.2×all: 5.8% |
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.
Models where it was at most half as common
| Car | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y5,417 failed tests | ≤2.1%not in its top 10 | 13.9% |
| Tesla Model 313,522 failed tests | ≤2.7%not in its top 10 | 14.8% |
| Skoda Kamiq2,596 failed tests | ≤3.6%not in its top 10 | 15.3% |
| Volkswagen ID.32,833 failed tests | 3.9%110 tests | 15.7% |
| Cupra Formentor1,628 failed tests | ≤4.3%not in its top 10 | 16.2% |
| Ford Puma7,714 failed tests | ≤4.0%not in its top 10 | 14.9% |
| MG HS3,794 failed tests | ≤4.0%not in its top 10 | 14.7% |
| Audi Q41,257 failed tests | 4.4%55 tests | 15.7% |
| Volkswagen T-Cross3,508 failed tests | ≤3.9%not in its top 10 | 13.5% |
| Jaguar I-Pace1,819 failed tests | 4.0%72 tests | 13.7% |
≤ means at most: the defect wasn't one of the model's 10 most common, so we only know it had no more failed tests than the model's 10th most common defect, or fewer than 50. Models are listed by these figures against the same-age share, so this is not a ranking of the lowest.
How common it is by car age
- Under 3 years, first used 2023 to 20249.3% of failed tests, against 6.8% for all ages1,017 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 202215.3% of failed tests, against 6.8% for all ages104,410 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20197.4% of failed tests, against 6.8% for all ages155,922 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20155.3% of failed tests, against 6.8% for all ages177,332 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20105.7% of failed tests, against 6.8% for all ages124,729 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20057.8% of failed tests, against 6.8% for all ages63,500 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.