mechanics.trade
Windscreen repair and replacement
A chip in the windscreen can often be filled with resin rather than replaced, which keeps the original glass and its factory seal.
What windscreen repair means
Once a chip spreads into a crack, or sits in the driver's line of sight, the screen usually needs changing. Many cars now have a camera behind the mirror that has to be recalibrated afterwards.
What the job covers
- Chip repair before it spreads
- Windscreen replacement and bonding
- ADAS camera recalibration after fitting
- Side and rear glass replacement
- Insurance claims handled direct
When you might need it
- A stone chip, however small. Filled early it stays small; left alone, frost and heat turn it into a crack.
- A crack that has started to travel across the glass.
- Wipers leaving a smear that will not clear, which is often the blade rather than the glass.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically £60 to £450.
- A chip repair costs a fraction of a replacement.
- Heated screens, tinted bands and rain sensors all cost more to replace.
- If the car has a forward-facing camera, recalibration is part of the job and adds to it.
- Many insurers cover glass with a small excess and no effect on your no-claims discount.
How long it takes
A chip repair takes about half an hour. A replacement takes two to three hours, and the adhesive then needs time to cure before the car is driven.
What the MOT data shows
Out of 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025, these are the parts covered by this job that testers recorded as faults.
| Part | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Wipers | 1,365,838 |
| Windscreen | 1,249,208 |
| Washers | 821,371 |
Common questions
Will a chip fail the MOT?
It depends where it is. In the driver's central view the limit is 10mm; elsewhere on the swept area it is 40mm. Damage inside those limits is noted but does not fail.
Can any chip be repaired?
Most can, if they are smaller than a £1 coin, not in the driver's direct line of sight, and not right at the edge of the glass.
What is camera recalibration?
Cars with lane assist or automatic braking read the road through a camera mounted on the windscreen. Move the glass and the camera has to be reset so it aims correctly again.