Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Alnico Blue]

CDX is due MOT in just over  month, but has a crack along the bottom of the windscreen. This is just above the dashboard line where it meets the screen , approx 50mm, so well below the drivers sight line . The crack is about 40cm long and has been like this for over 6 months now with increasing .

  I was fully expecting to get the screen replaced on insurance , once the car had passed all other aspects of the MOT.   BUT  . . .

While out socialising yesterday  I got chatting to an MOT tester , who said that the guidelines  have now "got sensible" about windscreen damage for the new test .

He went on to say that any cracks or damage that are now NOT in the drivers sight line will not be a fail 

Anyone got any thoughts or comments on this ?     I understand that it is much better to have an uncracked screen , but on a 17 year old car is it worth replaceing it if it will still pass the MOT test ? 

[STEMO]

I would not be happy driving a car with a crack, getting on for half a metre in length, across my windscreen. No doubt people will tell me that it's perfectly safe, but I'd be screwing my eyes up over every bump, in case bits of glass came flying at me.

[Nick W]

CDX is due MOT in just over  month, but has a crack along the bottom of the windscreen. This is just above the dashboard line where it meets the screen , approx 50mm, so well below the drivers sight line . The crack is about 40cm long and has been like this for over 6 months now with increasing .

  I was fully expecting to get the screen replaced on insurance , once the car had passed all other aspects of the MOT.   BUT  . . .

While out socialising yesterday  I got chatting to an MOT tester , who said that the guidelines  have now "got sensible" about windscreen damage for the new test .

He went on to say that any cracks or damage that are now NOT in the drivers sight line will not be a fail 

Anyone got any thoughts or comments on this ?     I understand that it is much better to have an uncracked screen , but on a 17 year old car is it worth replacing it if it will still pass the MOT test ? 

Yes.
You'll be amazed how much clearer a new screen is. And a bonded in screen is an important part of the car's structure, which is compromised when the screen is cracked.

[STEMO]

And, as the actress said to the bishop, it will only get bigger.

[ronnyd]

As Nick W alluded to, the screen is an important part of the bodies integrity so am surprised that a large crack, even out of the drivers eyeline,  is considered safe.

[Alnico Blue]

As Nick W alluded to, the screen is an important part of the bodies integrity so am surprised that a large crack, even out of the drivers eyeline,  is considered safe.

Me too ! 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

This reminds me, I must get mine replaced as soon as I get a couple of days off work. It has a 2 foot long crack running through the drivers eyeline.
Ive never had one replaced on insurance before so will have to find out the procedure. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Bear in mind that in certain circumstances where the cars fails the MOT due to a dangerous fault, you cannot drive the car away from the MOT centre. 

Whether or not this applies to a cracked screen I don't know, but as others have pointed out that the screen is considered part of the cars structure, so do your research. 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Who is going to stop you though ? You could get pulled by plod, but I don't remember the last time I saw a police car round these parts.

[BazaJT]

Migv6 check your insurance documents as some insurance companies stipulate a particular windscreen company[others don't] then once that's clear you get in touch with said windscreen company with your details and they replace it/take your screen excess amount and they sort it with your insurance company[that's the way it worked for mine anyway]Other than that it's just an extra call to your insurance company to inform them yourself and they'll tell you which screen company to contact.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Who is going to stop you though ? You could get pulled by plod, but I don't remember the last time I saw a police car round these parts.

Good point Albs, but what would you do if the garage refused to give you the keys back? 

[Alnico Blue]

Bear in mind that in certain circumstances where the cars fails the MOT due to a dangerous fault, you cannot drive the car away from the MOT centre. 

Whether or not this applies to a cracked screen I don't know, but as others have pointed out that the screen is considered part of the cars structure, so do your research. 

My original post was of surprise on last nights  MOT testers information.   Planning to have MOT next Saturday so will post up what my actual MOT man says on it.  Common sense to get it replaced though .

[Alnico Blue]

Migv6 check your insurance documents as some insurance companies stipulate a particular windscreen company[others don't] then once that's clear you get in touch with said windscreen company with your details and they replace it/take your screen excess amount and they sort it with your insurance company[that's the way it worked for mine anyway]Other than that it's just an extra call to your insurance company to inform them yourself and they'll tell you which screen company to contact.

I have already enquired  Albs  . . .logged  onto my insurance  company website  . . .once it realised it was a windscreen claim , it puts you directly onto the windscreen company site , you fill in  an online form , pay excess by card  ( £50 in this case), and they give you a list of available dates /timeslots for replacement .
Sounds easy peasy  bet its not though

[Sir Tigger KC]

Migv6 check your insurance documents as some insurance companies stipulate a particular windscreen company[others don't] then once that's clear you get in touch with said windscreen company with your details and they replace it/take your screen excess amount and they sort it with your insurance company[that's the way it worked for mine anyway]Other than that it's just an extra call to your insurance company to inform them yourself and they'll tell you which screen company to contact.

I have already enquired  Albs  . . .logged  onto my insurance  company website  . . .once it realised it was a windscreen claim , it puts you directly onto the windscreen company site , you fill in  an online form , pay excess by card  ( £50 in this case), and they give you a list of available dates /timeslots for replacement .
Sounds easy peasy  bet its not though

I had one done a few years ago, but the arrangements were done over the phone.  It was a painless process. 

[STEMO]

Most of them use Autoglass. I had one done on wifeys megane about 5-6 years ago. It was a very easy process although, I believe, the omega windscreen is a bit more complicated than most.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Who is going to stop you though ? You could get pulled by plod, but I don't remember the last time I saw a police car round these parts.

Good point Albs, but what would you do if the garage refused to give you the keys back? 

In most cases, chin him, but I know my MOT man to well for that. He would put me in a coma.   So I would call the police and report him for theft, as that is what he would be doing.

[STEMO]

He might give you the keys then phone the police. Tell them, despite warnings, you'd driven off in a dangerous vehicle. 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Migv6 check your insurance documents as some insurance companies stipulate a particular windscreen company[others don't] then once that's clear you get in touch with said windscreen company with your details and they replace it/take your screen excess amount and they sort it with your insurance company[that's the way it worked for mine anyway]Other than that it's just an extra call to your insurance company to inform them yourself and they'll tell you which screen company to contact.

I have already enquired  Albs  . . .logged  onto my insurance  company website  . . .once it realised it was a windscreen claim , it puts you directly onto the windscreen company site , you fill in  an online form , pay excess by card  ( £50 in this case), and they give you a list of available dates /timeslots for replacement .
Sounds easy peasy  bet its not though

Thanks, will have a look later. £50 is cheap, most companies are around £75. Who are you insured with ?

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

He might give you the keys then phone the police. Tell them, despite warnings, you'd driven off in a dangerous vehicle. 

Then you go back next day and chin him. 

My MOT man is good as gold tbh. Superb at his job and plenty of common sense. He can be a real aggressive ficker if you rub him up the wrong way though.
Turn up without an appointment and ask him to diagnose a problem and you get told to far cough with a look that will frighten the life out of most people. 

[henryd]

Who is going to stop you though ? You could get pulled by plod, but I don't remember the last time I saw a police car round these parts.

Good point Albs, but what would you do if the garage refused to give you the keys back? 

In most cases, chin him, but I know my MOT man to well for that. He would put me in a coma.   So I would call the police and report him for theft, as that is what he would be doing.

DVSA have ballsed up that bit,no garage or them for that matter can stop you leaving the test station,of course you are knowingly taking a vehicle with logged defects onto the highway so there opens another can of worms

[Doctor Gollum]

Most of them use Autoglass. I had one done on wifeys megane about 5-6 years ago. It was a very easy process although, I believe, the omega windscreen is a bit more complicated than most.

Yeah, it's a double sided sheet of glass

They get funny about not being able to fit new screen if rusty across the bulkhead/a post... The usual reason they crack. Not that any Omega has ever had rust

Autonoglass still owe me a windscreen from previous buggery...

[zirk]

CDX is due MOT in just over  month, but has a crack along the bottom of the windscreen. This is just above the dashboard line where it meets the screen , approx 50mm, so well below the drivers sight line . The crack is about 40cm long and has been like this for over 6 months now with increasing .

  I was fully expecting to get the screen replaced on insurance , once the car had passed all other aspects of the MOT.   BUT  . . .

While out socialising yesterday  I got chatting to an MOT tester , who said that the guidelines  have now "got sensible" about windscreen damage for the new test .

He went on to say that any cracks or damage that are now NOT in the drivers sight line will not be a fail 

Anyone got any thoughts or comments on this ?     I understand that it is much better to have an uncracked screen , but on a 17 year old car is it worth replaceing it if it will still pass the MOT test ? 

Doesnt matter whether its within the drivers view area or not, if its more than 40mm anywhere on the screen then its a Fail, so thats the end of that idea. 

[Alnico Blue]

CDX is due MOT in just over  month, but has a crack along the bottom of the windscreen. This is just above the dashboard line where it meets the screen , approx 50mm, so well below the drivers sight line . The crack is about 40cm long and has been like this for over 6 months now with increasing .

  I was fully expecting to get the screen replaced on insurance , once the car had passed all other aspects of the MOT.   BUT  . . .

While out socialising yesterday  I got chatting to an MOT tester , who said that the guidelines  have now "got sensible" about windscreen damage for the new test .

He went on to say that any cracks or damage that are now NOT in the drivers sight line will not be a fail 

Anyone got any thoughts or comments on this ?     I understand that it is much better to have an uncracked screen , but on a 17 year old car is it worth replaceing it if it will still pass the MOT test ? 

Doesnt matter whether its within the drivers view area or not, if its more than 40mm anywhere on the screen then its a Fail, so thats the end of that idea. 

Chris, I've known this guy since school ,  no reason he would wrongly advise me, he said previous to May this year it would have been a fail, but not now . I showed him a photo of the crack that was on my phone.  Seems strange I admit , but will find out this weekend hopefully & post up my usual testers opinion .  I will be getting it changed anyway though 

[STEMO]

The 40mm rule is if it's within the area swept by the wiper blades which, I guess, the bottom of the screen is. 

[Doctor Gollum]

The 40mm rule is if it's within the area swept by the wiper blades which, I guess, the bottom of the screen is. 

There's a grey area where you can only see bonnet, as that clearly does not impact the driver's vision

[dave the builder]

section 3 : visibility clicky
"Failure for damage is only justified if the damage significantly affects the driver’s view of the road"
is any of the crack in the swept area anyway ?
only fail criteria that is listed is
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured:
but not adversely affecting driver’s view=Minor
could fail it on sharp edge or structure 
but as structure is not weakened enough to effect anything (brakes,suspension,steering etc) that would look odd on a fail 
however , if it is insured ,why would you not just get it replaced
(if the car does not have a current mot ,i think the insurer would say it's not insured for glass damage)

[BazaJT]

Bit of a grey area that I'd think as the bonded screen is an integral part of the strength of the structure and therefore safety of the car.However be that as it may if it's insured for the cost of the screen excess it'd be far better just to change it unless you figure it's going to fail in such a way as to be not worth saving in which case save the excess money and scrap the car now-and save the M.o.T. fee too

[henryd]

The old 10mm in front of driver and 40mm in rest of swept area is gone,it can cracked full width and pass if it doesn't affect drivers view out

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Ive just booked mine in to have a new screen fitted by autoglass next Tuesday. Will report back once they have messed everything up. 

[Alnico Blue]

OK  MOT done this morning  . .  outcome with the crack across lower windscreen was a  . . . .

PASS WITH DEFECTS.       

 Certificate printout says  Pass with defects   Repair as soon as possible (minor defects) windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting drivers view Front (3.2 a i )

Then 2 advisories :  1. Rear brake pipe corroded /covered in grease or other material

                              2. Power steering pump has slight seepage

So the answer is from last May, that a cracked screen will be passed ( pending a repair ASAP ) but only  if not in drivers vision .

Just booked in with Autoglass for replacement next Sunday  ( no screen in stock at moment Albs must have got the last  one in stock  )

All in all,  not a too bad an outcome for an 18 year old dinosaur   

Hope this clears up the grey area to some extent 

[dave the builder]

congrats on the pass 
I grease the brakelines on all our cars ,every year I wipe off the old and re-grease , I think it is a good way to inspect and protect them , obviously the NT needs to put "brake pipe corroded /covered in grease or other material" to cover himself

[STEMO]

OK  MOT done this morning  . .  outcome with the crack across lower windscreen was a  . . . .

PASS WITH DEFECTS.       

 Certificate printout says  Pass with defects   Repair as soon as possible (minor defects) windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting drivers view Front (3.2 a i )

Then 2 advisories :  1. Rear brake pipe corroded /covered in grease or other material

                              2. Power steering pump has slight seepage

So the answer is from last May, that a cracked screen will be passed ( pending a repair ASAP ) but only  if not in drivers vision .

Just booked in with Autoglass for replacement next Sunday  ( no screen in stock at moment Albs must have got the last  one in stock  )

All in all,  not a too bad an outcome for an 18 year old dinosaur   

Hope this clears up the grey area to some extent 

Nice one, Al
Now...Liverpool are on't telly.

[Alnico Blue]

OK  MOT done this morning  . .  outcome with the crack across lower windscreen was a  . . . .

PASS WITH DEFECTS.       

 Certificate printout says  Pass with defects   Repair as soon as possible (minor defects) windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting drivers view Front (3.2 a i )

Then 2 advisories :  1. Rear brake pipe corroded /covered in grease or other material

                              2. Power steering pump has slight seepage

So the answer is from last May, that a cracked screen will be passed ( pending a repair ASAP ) but only  if not in drivers vision .

Just booked in with Autoglass for replacement next Sunday  ( no screen in stock at moment Albs must have got the last  one in stock  )

All in all,  not a too bad an outcome for an 18 year old dinosaur   

Hope this clears up the grey area to some extent 

Nice one, Al
Now...Liverpool are on't telly.

yep  watching it  . . . salah missed a sitter  . . .but thanks to Mane  going well a mo.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I fully expect Autoglass to turn up with the wrong screen, and it all to go downhill from there. 

[Doctor Gollum]

I fully expect Autoglass to turn up with the wrong screen, and it all to go downhill from there. 

You won't get odds on that...