BRITS have been warned that a simple car part could cause them to fail an MOT – plus the “tell-tale” signs to look out for.
The “overlooked” feature is vital in making your motor road legal and keeping you safe.
GettyYou could fail your MOT thanks to an ‘overlooked’ car part[/caption]
As we move into Spring, with the risk of April showers every present, keeping your windscreen wipers in good condition is essential.
Speciliasts from WindscreenWipers.co.uk urged drivers to watch out for any symptoms of damage or degradation.
They said: “The importance of having appropriate and working windscreen wipers is often overlooked, but it is key for your safety that you keep them in an acceptable condition.
“After all, not only is it irritating and distracting to have a dirty windscreen when driving, but it can also be unsafe if the dirt is restricting visibility.
“For this very reason, wipers are inspected in every MOT.
“If your wipers are deemed to be working insufficiently, and therefore not road safe, you could fail your MOT, potentially incurring more costs in the long term.”
Indeed, it could cost you up to £54, the maximum fee for MOT tests, and stack up charges for each subsequent examination you have to book.
It will also force you to get the wipers repaired immediately, which could end up costing you more.
Thankfully, the experts were able to reveal some the key things to watch out for.
They added: “We suggest checking your wipers regularly for signs of any damage like cracks or breaks in the rubber, bending to the blade itself, or a squeaky noise coming from them while in use.”
If you see any of these issues developing, it’s best to replace the wiper blades yourself, which can cost as little as £8.99 online.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can pay a garage to do it for you.
For example, Halfords offer fittings for £5 or £7.50 for a pair.
It comes after motorists were alerted to a “significant” change to driving permit rules coming within days.
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