Well, That's Probably an MOT Fail

Kinja'd!!! "KirkyV" (KirkyV)
11/21/2015 at 16:45 • Filed to: None

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It looks deceptively minor in the picture, but it’s pretty big, and some black crap’s stuck in there from the impact. It’s smack dab in the middle of my line of sight, too, which makes the whole MOT thing that much more dubious.

I’m not sure if a repair would reduce the visual impact enough to get an MOT pass, and I’m not sure if I should do it through my insurance company or not: I’m somewhat concerned about the idea of having a claim - even a windscreen claim - on my record... So, all in all, an otherwise good weekend has been somewhat dinged by a particularly belligerent stone.


DISCUSSION (16)


Kinja'd!!! Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 16:50

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I thought it was only a violation to have an actual crack? Then again my state has no inspections so take it with a grain of salt.


Kinja'd!!! Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 16:51

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Ah man that sucks. Sometimes it doesn’t affect your no claims for windscreens by the way. Give them a ring and see what their policy is.


Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
11/21/2015 at 16:53

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Nah, “Immediately In front of the driver (The ‘A-zone’ – a 290mm wide band centered on the steering column and bounded top and bottom by the wiper swept area) – damage larger than 10mm across will normally result in a failure.”

Essentially, I might get away with it, but there’s a decent chance I won’t. It all comes down to how seamless the repair looks, and with the way there seems to be some black gunk inside the glass, somehow, I doubt it’ll come out all that well.


Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
11/21/2015 at 16:55

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I’m pretty confident it won’t affect my no-claims, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t affect my premiums, sadly. Anything that goes on your 5-year claim record - anything you have to disclose to prospective insurers, essentially - can, even if it doesn’t directly hit your no claims.

Honestly, my main concern for now is whether it even can be repaired to the standard necessary to pass an MOT. This whole ‘line of sight’ thing is a real complication. I’m thinking of dropping by my local independent garage - the place I get it MOT’d - and asking them if they think I could get away with it.


Kinja'd!!! Urambo Tauro > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 16:59

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A couple years ago, I was getting tired of my 18yr old windshield. It had no cracks or chips, but had accumulated nearly 160,000 miles of scratches that became terribly annoying when driving towards the sun during my work commute.

I checked with my insurance agent to see if this was a valid reason to make a claim, and he confirmed that it absolutely was. I think my deductible was somewhere around $100.


Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > Urambo Tauro
11/21/2015 at 17:00

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Oh, I can definitely make a claim to get it repaired, and even replace the windscreen if it comes down to it—I’m just worried about what that’ll do to my insurance premiums. As a twenty-year-old driver in the UK, I have enough trouble in that area as is.


Kinja'd!!! Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 17:01

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Bummer, Perhaps clean it out carefully with a rotary tool? Not only would the lack of black make it less noticeable, but it would likely smooth it out if only a bit.


Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
11/21/2015 at 17:03

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Weirdly, the black stuff actually seems to be sandwiched between the layers of glass. No idea how I’d get to it without doing more damage.


Kinja'd!!! djmt1 > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 17:05

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Would it be worth raiding a scrapyard for a junked 106/Saxo?


Kinja'd!!! Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 17:06

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Bigger bummer. Good luck getting it sorted out though.


Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > djmt1
11/21/2015 at 17:07

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I’m still in the ‘desperately hope the windscreen can be repaired’ phase for now. If it comes down to getting a full-on replacement, then I’ll weigh my options. There’s a decent chance that it’d ultimately be better to get my insurance company to cover it, even with the potential increase in premiums, if I do. I’ve got windscreen cover, so my no-claims wouldn’t be affected.


Kinja'd!!! Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 17:21

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Hmm I see what you’re saying. I think even if it’ll pass an MOT now it’s a worry that the chip will spread into a crack eventually.


Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
11/21/2015 at 17:29

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If it wasn’t in my sightline, I think it’d probably repair no-problem, and hold together well-enough to avoid cracks becoming a concern - it’s not gigantic, just worryingly large for something that’s right in front of my face, and partially full of black gunk - but that doesn’t do me much good if it won’t pass an MOT.

I just don’t know what to do about it, right now. This really isn’t a good time for me to have to finance a full-on windscreen replacement, and yet I fear tapping my insurance could have still more dire consequences down the line.


Kinja'd!!! Chinny Raccoon > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 17:40

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Give a couple of glass places a try- the non insurance replacement costs can be surprisingly low- I had my old swift one replaced by National for around £120 a few years back. The Landrover was even cheaper as it’s just the same bit of flat glass from the 80’s. You may not be able to get a screen out of another car if they were bonded in, and then there is the faff of putting it in correctly...


Kinja'd!!! Leon711 > KirkyV
11/21/2015 at 18:03

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I’ve had a friend have his done twice on the insurance in one year with no hike in his premium he is 23 too.


Kinja'd!!! pip bip - choose Corrour > KirkyV
11/22/2015 at 02:24

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how much is a new screen.