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MOT fail: windscreen washer gives too little liquid

Major defect: the vehicle fails Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 3.5 (a)

The washer did not put enough liquid on the screen for the wipers to clear it. Often the reservoir is simply empty, which is why this is one of the fails most often put right during the test.

Can it be driven away? Only if its current MOT is still valid and no dangerous problem was listed, and it must still be roadworthy. GOV.UK rule

What happened after the fail

  • Repaired during the test41%
  • Passed a retest within 35 days55%
  • Not passed within 35 days4%

By age

Highest at 16 years old: 2% of MOTs.

By mileage

Highest at 180k to 190k miles: 2% of MOTs.

Models that fail on this more than other cars their age

  • Smart (mcc) CityOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
  • Nissan CabstarOther cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
  • Alfa Romeo 147Other cars its age: 2 in 1005 in 100
  • Peugeot 407Other cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
  • Volkswagen FOXOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
  • Vauxhall CorsavanOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
  • Alfa Romeo GTOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
  • LDV MaxusOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
22 more models
  • Vauxhall AstravanOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
  • Nissan PrimastarOther cars its age: 2 in 1004 in 100
  • Peugeot BipperOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Nissan FigaroOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
  • Citroen Grand C4Other cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
  • Citroen NemoOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Fiat FiorinoOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Renault KangooOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
  • Volkswagen CamperOther cars its age: 2 in 1003 in 100
  • Vauxhall ComboOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Isuzu Trucks GrafterOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1003 in 100
  • Vauxhall CorsaOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Mercedes-Benz CitanOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1003 in 100
  • Vauxhall VivaroOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
  • SEAT IbizaOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
  • Vauxhall MovanoOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
  • Renault TraficOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
  • Nissan Nv400Other cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
  • Peugeot PartnerOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
  • Citroen RelayOther cars its age: 1 in 1002 in 100
  • Dacia SanderoOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
  • Dacia LoganOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
Out of every 100 MOTs on each model. Models with 20,000 or more MOTs, well above other cars their age, highest first.

Counted from DVSA records of 286,058,652 MOTs, 20 May 2018 to 18 October 2026. A test and its retests count as one MOT. About other vehicles, not a prediction for yours: for what to do, ask a garage. Spotted a mistake? Email fuzzyreguk@gmail.com.

Check a car's MOT history

Every test, fail and advisory, free, from the whole registration.