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HOMEMOT TESTMOT COSTSQUERIESF.A.Q.s MANUALSMOT BASICS

6.1 Windscreens/Drivers View of the road

Windscreen Wipers
	2. Examine the condition, security and effectiveness of the wiper blades and their contact with the windscreen.	2. A wiper blade insecure, missing, deteriorated or which does not clear the windscreen effectively to give the driver an adequate view of the road (through the windscreen) to the left and right sides of the vehicle, as well as to the front.
	3. Check the function of the windscreen washers.	3. The windscreen washers do not provide enough liquid to clear the windscreen in conjunction with the wiper(s)
Windscreen
This inspection applies to All vehicles ( including those with opening windscreens)	Windscreen
	Referring to the diagram below, examine the swept area of the windscreen and the driver's view through it.
		4. In Zone 'A'
		a. damage not contained within a 10mm diameter circle, or
		b. a windscreen sticker or other obstruction encroaching more than 10mm
		c. a combination of minor damage areas which seriously restricts the driver's view In the remainder of the swept area:
		d. damage not contained within a 40mm diameter circle, or
		e. a windscreen sticker or other obstruction encroaching more than 40mm Note: All the items listed in the information column should be taken into account before rejecting a vehicle.
Temporary windscreens
Temporary windscreens are not intended for every day use. A temporary windscreen fitted to a vehicle presented for test is to be a reason for rejection.
Repaired windscreens
Repaired windscreens must be inspected to the same test criteria as original unrepaired windscreens. Repairs must be judged solely on the basis of whether they vision. An 'invisible' or barely detectable repair, finished flush with the surrounding glass, does not count as damage even if it exceeds the limit on damage allowed in the test. If these criteria are met, the position and size of the repairs  is not relevant for the purposes of the test.
Scratches
Scratches on the windscreen, ie light surface scratching, is not to be considered as damage. However, an area of concentrated scratching such as caused by the prolonged use of a defective wiper blade which obscures vision is to be considered a reason for rejection if it meets the fail criteria.
Grooved Windscreens
Grooves in windscreens which are designed specifically to clean the wiper blades are not subject to reason for rejection 4 unless they seriously impair the driver's view of the road.
Information
'Official' stickers
'Official' stickers which are not readily removable- such as vehicle licenses, parking and access permits- are only a reason for rejection if they seriously restrict the the driver's view. 'Official' stickers should be taken to be any sticker which is used in connection with 'road enforcement', 'security' or 'crime prevention' matters. These include: Disabled persons badges/permits, Parking permits, Licences and vehicle Anti-Theft Scheme stickers issued by a police Authority.
Advice to vehicle presenters
The vehicle presenter should be advised of and given the opportunity to remove any item likely to fail under Reason for Rejection 4b or 4e before a Notification of Refusal is issued. In certain circumstances, windscreen damage may be safely repaired. If a repair is to be contemplated, a vehicle owner should be recommended to seek advice from a service provider competent of repairing to the British Standard Codes of Practice BSAU242 and BSAU251.
Opaque edging
Opaque edging on a windscreen (usually black, particularly at the lower edge) found on some modern vehicles is not to be regarded as part of the windscreen when assessing the driver's view through the windscreen within 6.1 item 4 of the Inspection Manual.
Additional mirrors and tinting films
Additional mirrors and tinting films are not subject to Reason for Rejection 4.
Windscreen protection
Wind screen protection or additional strengthening supports fitted to vehicles which have a security role, eg bullion vehicles, Post Office vehicles etc intended to aid security, are not to be considered a reason for rejection when assessing obstructions to vision.
Sunvisors
Sunvisors fitted to the driver's side, which cannot be stowed in the 'off screen' position and which drop down obstructing the view through the swept area of the windscreen are a reason for rejection. A similar defect on the passenger side sunvisor is not a reason for rejection.
Taxi signs
Taxi signs displayed in the front windscreen of Hackney Carriage vehicles of the type used to indicate when the vehicle is 'for hire' (usually by being illuminated) are only a reason for rejection if they seriously restrict the driver's view.
Mascots
Mascots and other external mountings forward of the windscreen are not part of the test.
Original design
Original vehicle design characteristics are to be accepted.