When to replace wiper blades: 7 signs and what the MOT checks
Replace your wiper blades when they start to streak, smear, judder, skip patches, squeak, or when the rubber is split, hard or cracked. A common rule of thumb is to change them about once a year, and autumn is a sensible time because the darker, wetter months show up a worn blade fastest. If the blades can't clear the screen enough to give you an adequate view of the road, that's also an MOT issue.
How do you know when to replace wiper blades?
Wiper rubber wears with use, but it also ages from sun, frost and dirt even when the car sits still. So the best guide is how the blades perform, not how many miles you've done.
Before deciding they're worn, clean the screen and the blades (see below). Some of these symptoms come from a dirty screen or wax, not the blade. If the problem comes back straight after cleaning, the blade is the likely cause.
What are the 7 signs your wiper blades need replacing?
1. Streaks. Thin lines of water left behind in the same place on every sweep usually mean the rubber edge is worn or nicked at that point.
2. Smearing. A greasy haze across the screen, especially at night with oncoming headlights, can mean the edge has worn round and pushes water about instead of clearing it. Check the screen is clean first.
3. Juddering or chattering. The blade skips across the glass instead of gliding. Hardened rubber is a common cause, but so is a twisted arm or a waxy screen. Our guide to streaky or juddering wipers works through the order to check.
4. Unwiped patches. If a band of the screen stays wet, the blade may be bent, the frame may have stiffened, or the rubber may have lifted away. On a UK car the driver's blade is on the right, so pay most attention to that side.
5. Squeaking. A blade that squeals on a wet screen often has rubber that has gone hard.
6. Split, torn or peeling rubber. Lift the arm and run a finger gently along the edge. Any split, missing chunk or rubber pulling away from the holder means the blade needs replacing.
7. Hard, cracked or bent blades. Rubber should be flexible. If it feels stiff or shows fine cracks, or the blade or frame is bent or corroded, it won't follow the screen properly.
How often should you change wiper blades?
There's no single legal interval. A common rule of thumb is around every 12 months, but cars parked outside all year, or used heavily in winter, may need them sooner, and some blades last longer. Go by the signs above.
It makes sense to replace both front blades together, because they've aged the same amount. The rear blade can be checked separately. Our rear wiper guide covers sizes and fittings.
Autumn is a good time to check. The clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, and from then on you'll be driving more often in the dark, when streaks and smears catch headlights and are hardest to see through.
What does the MOT check on wipers and washers?
Every UK MOT checks that:
- the wipers clear the windscreen well enough to give an adequate view of the road, and
- the washers provide enough fluid to clean the screen.
So a blade that leaves the driver without a clear view is a problem, and so is an empty or blocked washer system. Top up the screenwash before your test. The detail is in the MOT inspection manual, and you can see past results for your car with the MOT history check.
Use this as a quick checklist before an MOT:
| Check | What you're looking for |
|---|---|
| Driver's blade | Clears the area in front of you without streaks or patches |
| Passenger blade | Clears its side without hitting the driver's blade |
| Washers | Jets hit the screen, not over the roof or onto the bonnet |
| Screenwash | Reservoir topped up |
| Rubber | No splits, tears or peeling |
How can you make wiper blades last longer?
A few habits slow the wear:
- Keep the screen clean. Grit acts like sandpaper on the rubber edge.
- Wipe the blades. A cloth with a little screenwash removes the grime that causes smearing.
- Never use the wipers to clear ice or frost. De-ice the screen first and check the blades aren't frozen to the glass, or you can tear the rubber.
- Don't run them on a dry screen. Use the washers first.
- Turn off automatic wipers on frosty mornings so they don't start on a frozen screen.
Our winter visibility checklist covers screenwash and de-icing in more detail.
How do you buy the right replacements?
Check three things for your car: the driver's length, the passenger's length and the arm fitting. Don't rely on measuring the old blades, because they may be the wrong size; our guide to measuring wiper blades explains why. The fitting matters too, so see wiper blade connector types. If you're buying asymmetric flat blades, make sure the set is for a right-hand-drive car.
Check your car
Each FitsMyCar wiper page lists the lengths and fitting for one generation, with the source we checked it against:
- Ford Fiesta Mk8 wipers:
28"/13"/11", push button - Vauxhall Corsa E wipers:
26"/16"/12", pinch tab - Hyundai i30 GD wipers:
26"/14"/13", hook - Kia Sportage QL wipers:
26"/16"/11", hook - Peugeot 208 wipers:
26"/16"/14", top lock
Values can split by facelift or body style, and the car page shows any split. Browse the wipers index or all makes.
Common questions
Can worn wiper blades fail an MOT?
Yes, if they don't clear the screen well enough to give an adequate view of the road. The washers must also provide enough fluid, so an empty reservoir can cause a problem too.
Should I replace the rubber or the whole blade?
For most drivers, the whole blade. Refill rubbers exist for some blades, but fitting a new blade is quicker and also replaces a frame or spine that may have lost tension.
Do I need to replace the rear wiper blade at the same time?
Not necessarily. Check it for the same signs and replace it when it needs it. The MOT checks front wipers, so it's easy to forget the rear.
Why are my new wiper blades streaking?
Usually the screen, not the blade. Wax, traffic film or a rain repellent can cause streaks and judder with brand-new blades. Clean the glass thoroughly, and check the blades are the right length and on the right sides.
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