Rear wiper blades: sizes, fittings and how to change one
The rear wiper blade size on most of the cars we've verified falls between 10" and 13", and 12" is the single commonest size we've verified. The exact length, and how the blade attaches, is specific to your car generation, so look it up rather than guessing from the front blades.
Rear blades are short, cheap to overlook and easy to get wrong, because they come in more fitting styles than front blades and some are not a separate blade at all. This guide covers the sizes you're likely to see, the main fitting types, and how to change one.
What size rear wiper blade does my car need?
Of the 178 UK car generations where we've verified the rear wiper, these are the most common answers:
| Rear blade | Car generations | Length in mm |
|---|---|---|
12" | 45 | 300 mm |
11" | 30 | 280 mm |
13" | 25 | 330 mm |
10" | 23 | 250 mm |
| No rear wiper | 16 | — |
The mm figures are the rounded equivalents you'll see on packs (1 inch is 25.4 mm). The rest of the 178 are spread across less common lengths, which is why a "universal" rear size doesn't exist.
Some real examples from our verified pages:
- Ford Fiesta Mk7, Vauxhall Corsa D, Nissan Qashqai J11 and Toyota Yaris XP130:
12" - VW Golf Mk7, VW Polo 6R/6C and Kia Sportage QL:
11" - Audi A3 8V, Hyundai i30 GD and SEAT Leon 5F:
13" - Mini Hatch R56:
10" - Renault Clio V:
9" - Peugeot 208:
14" - Skoda Octavia Mk3 and VW Transporter T5:
16"
Rear blade length can change between body styles of the same model, for example a hatchback and an estate, and occasionally at a facelift. Where we've found a split, the car page shows it.
Is the rear wiper the same as the front?
No. The rear blade is almost always much shorter than either front blade, and it often uses a different attachment. On the Fiesta Mk7 the fronts are 26" and 15" with a hook fitting, while the rear is 12". Don't assume a front-blade multipack covers the back.
Rear blades also tend to be a dedicated design: a short, often plastic-framed blade shaped to match a particular arm. That's why a rear blade labelled for your car is a safer choice than a generic one of the right length. For more on front and rear lengths, see how to measure wiper blade size.
What are the different rear wiper fittings?
Rear wipers broadly come in two designs.
A separate blade on an arm. The blade unclips from the arm, just like a front blade. The connector may be one of the familiar types (hook, side pin and so on) or a rear-specific clip that only fits certain arms. Our guide to wiper blade connector types explains the common front fittings, and many of the same principles apply.
An integrated arm. On some cars the rubber is built into a one-piece plastic arm, so there is no separate blade to buy. When the rubber wears, you replace the whole arm. The arm is held on the spindle by a nut, usually hidden under a hinged cap at the pivot.
If you can't see a joint between the blade and the arm, you probably have an integrated arm. Check your car page or handbook before ordering.
How do I change a rear wiper blade?
For a separate blade:
- Lift the rear arm away from the glass. Some rear arms stay up on their own; if yours doesn't, hold it.
- Put a folded towel on the glass under the arm. A spring-loaded arm snapping back can crack the rear screen.
- Find the release point at the joint: a tab to press, a clip to slide or a pin to pull out. Release it and slide or pivot the old blade off.
- Compare the old and new blades at the joint before fitting, so you know the new one matches.
- Fit the new blade until it clicks, give it a gentle tug to make sure it's secure, and lower the arm onto the glass.
- Run the rear wiper with the washer to check it sweeps fully and quietly.
For an integrated arm:
- Note where the arm rests on the glass, or mark it with a piece of masking tape, so the new arm can go back in the same parked position.
- Lift the cap at the base of the arm and undo the nut.
- Ease the arm off the spindle. It can be tight on its splines; work it gently rather than levering against the glass or paintwork.
- Fit the new arm in the marked position, tighten the nut firmly and close the cap.
- Test it with the washer on.
Do you need a rear wiper to pass the MOT?
The MOT wiper and washer check is about the windscreen: the wipers must clear it well enough to give an adequate view of the road, and the washers must supply enough fluid. A worn rear blade isn't covered by that windscreen test, and plenty of cars have no rear wiper at all.
That doesn't make it unimportant. A smeared rear screen at night, with headlights behind you, makes reversing and checking traffic much harder. The GOV.UK MOT inspection manual sets out exactly what is tested.
Which cars don't have a rear wiper?
Saloons and many vans with twin rear doors don't have one. Of the 178 generations in our rear-wiper data, 16 have no rear wiper. The BMW 3 Series F30, a saloon, lists only front blades. If a car page shows no rear blade, check whether your version has one before ordering: an estate or hatchback version of a model can differ from the saloon.
Check your car
Our wiper pages give the driver, passenger and rear sizes together with the fitting type, each value checked against the handbook or two independent sources. Start at wipers by car or choose your make. Popular rear-wiper lookups:
- Ford Fiesta Mk8 —
11"rear - Ford Focus Mk3 —
12"rear - Hyundai i10 —
11"rear - Nissan Juke F15 —
12"rear - Vauxhall Astra J —
12"rear
Common questions
Can I fit a longer rear wiper blade?
It's best not to. A longer blade can hit the edge of the rear screen or the trim, and on a short rear arm it may not sit flat on the glass. Stick to the length listed for your car.
Why is my rear wiper leaving a dry patch?
Usually the rubber is worn or hardened, or the arm has lost spring pressure. Clean the glass and the rubber first; if the patch stays, replace the blade. See our guide to when to replace wiper blades for the full list of signs.
Do I need a special rear wiper blade or will any blade fit?
Length alone isn't enough. Many rear arms take a specific connector, and some cars use an integrated arm with no separate blade. Choose a blade listed for your car generation.
How often should I change the rear wiper blade?
The rear blade usually works less than the fronts, so it can last longer, but the rubber still ages in sunlight and frost. Check it whenever you change the front blades and replace it when it smears or chatters.
Checked against our verification rules. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.