Visibility items are about what the driver can actually see, so they cover the windscreen, wipers, washers and mirrors. The wording almost always mentions the driver's view or the swept area, and that's the clue to what's being assessed.
Visibility items are about what the driver can actually see, so they cover the windscreen, wipers, washers and mirrors. The wording almost always mentions the driver's view or the swept area, and that's the clue to what's being assessed.
Windscreen damage is judged by both size and position. A chip that's harmless low down on the passenger side can be a straight failure if it sits directly in the driver's line of sight, which is why two cars with identical-looking chips can get different results.
These are the visibility entries I see most often, and the ones worth sorting before you even book the test.
Windscreen has damage within the driver's view of the road
There's damage in the part of the screen the driver looks through, and it's larger than the allowance for that zone. Position matters as much as size — the area directly in front of the driver has a much tighter limit than the rest of the swept area.
Full explanation of Windscreen has damage within the driver's view of the road
Wiper blade defective or does not clear the windscreen effectively
The wiper isn't clearing the screen properly. That covers a perished or split blade, a torn rubber, a blade that's lifting off the glass, or a wiper motor that isn't sweeping the full pattern.
Full explanation of Wiper blade defective or does not clear the windscreen effectively
Mirror missing, damaged or insecure
A required mirror is missing, cracked to the point the view is distorted, or flapping about so it won't hold its setting. Cars need an adequate rearward view from at least two mirrors — normally the interior mirror plus the driver's door mirror. A missing nearside mirror can still be recorded where the interior view is obstructed, such as in a van.
Full explanation of Mirror missing, damaged or insecure
Windscreen washer providing insufficient washer liquid
The washers can't deliver enough fluid to clean the screen with the wipers. It's a Minor defect, but it's a genuine fail and it's on the list of things that catch people out — plenty of cars arrive with an empty bottle in summer.
Full explanation of Windscreen washer providing insufficient washer liquid
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