Research from eBay has found one in 10 motorists never check wiper blades for faults or damage, despite them being a common factor in failed MOTs.
A fifth (23%) of participants in the study only checked the condition of wiper blades when they had an MOT or service on their vehicle, while almost half of people (43%) changed their wiper blades when their annual car check-up was due.
While they may not be considered a particularly important part to replace for many car owners, eBay’s data revealed one in five (20%) UK drivers were not even aware faulty wiper blades could result in an MOT failure.
Gen Z (18 to 24-year-olds) drivers were the biggest culprits, with nearly half (45%) of respondents in this age range unaware wiper blades were examined as part of an MOT. In comparison, just 12% of over 65s made this mistake.
Gen-Z drivers were also the least confident when it came to spotting the signs of damaged wiper blades. eBay’s research explored the knowledge of UK motorists, revealing three-in-10 (31%) people could not confidently say they knew how to change the wiper blades, with 42% of motorists admitting they would not feel confident enough to attempt to change their own wiper blades.
Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay, said: “A car’s windscreen wipers are critical when it comes to maintaining visibility in wet weather, yet the condition of wiper blades often goes under the radar as a potential MOT failure item. It’s important for drivers to understand what to look for when they become damaged or worn so they can replace them cost effectively, rather than face the inconvenience of a failed MOT.”
