Do I Need Car Windscreen Repairs or A Full Replacement?

When you first notice damage to your windscreen, you should ask about car stone chips repairs as soon as possible. You’re probably wondering whether this will do the trick or whether you’ll need to fork out for a whole new replacement windscreen. Here, we look at why you should get the work done and the kinds of damage that can be repaired.

Car Stone Chips Repairs Can Prevent an MOT Failure

Obviously, stone chips to windscreens can pose a hazard to safe driving on a day to day basis. But it can also result in an MOT failure, which can be expensive, not to mention inconvenient. So what are the rules regarding windscreens and your MOT, and when should you consider car stone chips repairs? 

In broad terms, your vehicle will fail its MOT if there is any damage on its windscreen that exceeds 40mm in size. But even if the chip or crack is smaller than that, you may still have remedial work to do. This would be when the damage is 10mm or larger and falls within what’s called Zone A of the windscreen, which is the area that sits immediately in front of the driver. It covers 290mm in diameter of the windscreen, starting at the centre of the steering wheel. 

Damage in this area can distort the driver’s vision of the road ahead. This is worsened in the glare of oncoming headlights, or when the sun is shining, causing dazzling. But more than that, your car’s windscreen also plays an important part in its overall structural integrity. Failure to get windscreen damage fixed really can make your car unsafe to drive.

So Can the Damage Be Repaired?

Obviously, it’s much quicker and far less expensive to repair damage rather than to have car window replacements. Chips to the windscreen or other glass in your vehicle can normally be repaired, provided they are no larger than around 3cm, or 1cm within the driver’s field of vision (Zone A). They must also be more than 7cm away from the very edge of the windscreen. If the chip is bigger or closer than 7cm to the edge, then it is compromising the structural integrity of the windscreen. If it’s within Zone A and larger than 10mm, then it is potentially obscuring your vision. In both these cases, unfortunately, you are looking at replacement of the full window.

If your windscreen is cracked, then you will need a replacement. Again, a crack affects the structural integrity and therefore the strength of your windscreen, and it could shatter at any time. And if you are in an accident situation where the airbags on your vehicle deploy, it’s additionally dangerous. The windscreen as a whole could be pushed out and then the airbags would not provide the protection required to the driver and any passenger. 

Whether you need windscreen repair or replacement, however, you needn’t worry if you come to 1-2-1 Windscreen Services Ltd. Often, the work is covered by your insurance and you’ll only have to pay any excess. What’s more, it shouldn’t affect your No Claims Bonus and we will handle all the paperwork. For windscreen repair or replacement in Chester, Shrewsbury, the Wirral, Whitchurch, Wrexham or wider North Wales, call today. We also offer expert car window tinting.