Windscreen repairs should not be left to days before your MoT is due for renewal. No matter where on the windscreen a chip occurs, if left untreated it could spread and become an expensive windscreen replacement. A windscreen chip of more than 10mm in the drivers line of vision will result in an MoT failure. Driving with a cracked, chipped or damaged windscreen also constitutes use of vehicle in a dangerous condition which is an offence under section 40 of the Road Traffic Act and, if caught you could get a fixed penalty of 3 points on your license and a fine. 

Types of windscreen cracks and chips

That spine chilling sound of an object hitting the windscreen is enough to alert a driver that they need to stop inspect any possible damage to determine whether their car is deemed safe to drive or not. The type of damage will give a good indication of whether a windscreen needs repairing or replacing. There are 7 types of damage outcomes caused by the impact of an object on glass, age or windscreen or exposure to extremes in temperature as described here:

• Bull's eye - circular crack from debris or a small rock flung up from the tyres of a passing vehicle. Depending on the size, they are repairable. If too big, a complete replacement is required.
• Half-moon - semi-circular and is also caused by the impact of a round object.
• Star break - small cracks leading away from the point of contact. If left, they could spread and require windscreen replacement.
• Edge crack - starts within 2" of the edge of a windscreen
• Stress crack - caused by a sudden change in temperature (using boiling water to de-frost a windscreen!)
• Chip - when the impact of an object causes small pieces of glass to come off the windscreen
• Floater crack - crack starting in the middle of a windscreen at least 2" away from the edge. If not too deep it is repairable.

For small chips or cracks you can repair these yourself with a DIY windscreen repair kit. The DIY kit from Rejel comes complete with detailed instructions and everything you need to make the repair. The job takes just minutes saving you time and money. 

It is not just the impact of an object flung up on a windscreen or exposure to extreme temperatures that could cause chips or cracks to a windscreen, but even the wiper blades can damage the glass. The sun shining on hair-line scratches caused by wiper blades can severely impair a drivers vision. Using a glass repair and polish product such as Rejel's DIY windscreen light scratch repair and polish kit will restore your windscreen to perfection.

A windscreen offers structural support to a car and protects the occupants from flying debris, so carrying out repairs or a complete replacement is an obvious necessity to safe driving.