Wiper Blades in Winter: When to Replace and How to Care for Them
Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent
Signs your wiper blades need replacing
Wiper rubber hardens with sunlight and heat over the summer, then cracks and splits once the cold arrives. The signs are easy to spot if you look for them.
- Smearing: a greasy film across the screen, worst at night with oncoming headlights.
- Streaks or lines: thin strips of water left behind where the edge has worn or nicked.
- Juddering or chattering: the blade skips instead of gliding, often because the rubber has set hard.
- Unwiped arcs: a patch the blade misses, usually from a bent arm or a blade lifting at speed.
- Visible damage: split rubber, a frame that is rusty or loose, or rubber hanging off the end.
Run a fingertip gently along the wiping edge. It should feel smooth and sharp, not rounded, cracked or hard.
Smearing is not always the blades
Before buying new blades, rule out a dirty screen. Road film from salt, diesel spray and traffic on the A2 and A256 builds up on glass through winter and new blades will smear on it just as badly.
- Clean the screen thoroughly with a glass cleaner, inside and out.
- Wipe the rubber edge of each blade with a damp cloth to remove grit.
- Use a proper screenwash at the correct winter strength, not plain water or washing up liquid, which can leave a film and may freeze.
If the smearing is gone, the blades were fine. If it comes back straight away, they need replacing. For keeping the washers working, see our guide to frozen screenwash in winter.
Want to pass your MOT first time?
We do pre-MOT checks and fix advisories at your home or work across East Kent.
WhatsApp for a free quote Call 07563 350335 Contact form
Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
Frozen wipers: what to do and what not to do
On a frosty morning in Aylesham or out towards the downs, wiper blades often freeze onto the screen overnight. Switching the wipers on in that state can tear the rubber, bend the arm, strain the motor or blow a fuse.
- Before you switch off the engine the night before, make sure the wiper stalk is in the off position, so the wipers do not try to run the moment you start up.
- In the morning, run the engine with the heater set to the screen and use a de-icer spray and a plastic scraper.
- Ease each blade off the glass gently once the ice around it has softened.
- Do not pour boiling or hot water on the screen. The sudden temperature change can crack the glass.
- Do not leave the car idling unattended while it defrosts. Stay with it, and do not leave the engine running unnecessarily while stationary on a public road.
Highway Code rule 229 says you must be able to see, so clear all windows, mirrors, lights and number plates of snow and ice before setting off. Our winter car checklist covers the rest of the winter basics.
Wipers and the MOT
The MOT checks that the wipers and washers clear the windscreen well enough for the driver to have an adequate view of the road. Blades that are missing, badly worn or do not clear the screen can fail, and so can washers that do not work. It is one of the cheapest fails to avoid, and it comes up regularly in lists of common MOT failures. The detail is in our post on MOT windscreen and wiper rules.
Making blades last through winter
- Lift blades and clear leaves and grit from the base of the screen, where they get dragged under the rubber.
- Keep the screenwash topped up with a winter mix so the blades never run on a dry screen.
- Use a screen cover on frosty nights if you park outside, which saves the blades and your morning.
- Check the rear wiper too. It is easy to forget and often the first to fail.
How we can help
When we service a car or carry out a pre-MOT check at your home, we check wiper blades, arms, washer jets and the screenwash level, and point out anything that would cause a problem on the test. If the wipers stop working altogether, we can look at the fuse, motor and linkage and tell you what is wrong. Labour is £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job, and you get a quote first. Send your reg and postcode on WhatsApp 07563 350335 or use our contact page.
Want to pass your MOT first time?
Message us on WhatsApp with your reg and postcode, or use our contact form, for a price before any work starts.
WhatsApp for a free quote Call 07563 350335 Contact form
Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How often should wiper blades be replaced?
There is no fixed rule, but many drivers find about once a year works well, ideally before winter. Replace them sooner if they smear, judder, chatter or leave unwiped patches.
Can I use my wipers to clear frost?
No. Rubber dragged over ice is torn by it, and a frozen blade can strain the wiper motor and linkage or blow a fuse. Clear the screen first, then use the wipers.
Will worn wipers fail the MOT?
They can. The MOT checks that the wipers and washers clear the windscreen well enough for the driver to see the road, so badly worn or damaged blades can be a fail.
