The Ultimate Guide to Car Windscreens
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 14 days ago
5 min read
- Windscreen
- Repair
- Maintenance
FixMyCar answers all your questions relating to windscreen repair, replacement and care.
Without a functioning car windscreen, you’d face a barrage of wind and insects hitting your face. It also adds to the structural integrity of your car, helping to protect you in the event of a crash.
For all the above reasons, it’s worth knowing a thing or two about windscreens. This guide answers all the questions you might have.
Contents
How much does it cost to replace a windscreen?
How long does it take to replace a windscreen?
Does windscreen replacement affect your insurance?
Which cars have a heated windscreen?
Can you drive with a cracked windscreen?
What happens during a windscreen repair?
Why does my windscreen get condensation on it?
How to clean your car’s windscreen
How to remove scratches from your windscreen
How much does it cost to replace a windscreen?
It costs £358.72 on average for a windscreen replacement booked through FixMyCar. However, this depends not only on your car's make but also on the model and its individual specifications.
For budget cars, a low price would be around £200, whereas a high price would be around £300.
For mid-range cars, on the other hand, a low price would be £250 and a high price £400.
Finally, for premium cars, you could be looking at between £500 and £1,000.
How long does it take to replace a windscreen?
Windscreen replacement jobs might not always be cheap, but they should be fast. It usually takes between thirty minutes and an hour if you’re using a reputable company.
Does windscreen replacement affect your insurance?
It depends on your insurer - some might make an exception for something as minor as windscreen damage and not count it towards your no-claims bonus, but it’s a good idea to check first.
If you have a fully comprehensive insurance policy, windscreen repairs are probably included as standard. Again, this isn’t guaranteed, so it’s worthwhile checking.
This guide provides more information about car insurance, including how to get it cheaper.
Which cars have a heated windscreen?
There are a few different cars on the market that come with a heated windscreen:
Can you drive with a cracked windscreen?
Physically, it’s possible to drive with a cracked windscreen. The forces of the universe aren’t going to gather to stop you. However, it’s another matter whether you should.
If the damage is minor and doesn’t obscure your view, you can continue driving. However, cracks in some regions of your windscreen make driving illegal, mainly where the damage is likely to obstruct your vision.
Anything that blocks your view of the road or makes it unclear could result in a fixed penalty of three points on your license and a fine.
Even if you have a tiny crack that doesn’t interfere with your view of the road, it could grow in size throughout the winter months - the safest option is to get it fixed as soon as possible. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to replace your whole windscreen; instead, filling the crack is possible.
What happens during a windscreen repair?
If you have a chip, you may not be able to get it repaired due to the following:
A chip has to be smaller than a £2 coin to be filled; if it’s bigger, an
The chip has to be at least 3cm away from the edge of the windscreen.
If the damaged area is within the line of sight of the driver (an area of 30cm), the damage cannot occupy an area bigger than 10mm.
The same logic applies if there is a crack. In this case, the following process will be undertaken to replace the windscreen.
Your vehicle will have protective material covering the area around the windscreen, which will shield the bodywork and interior of your car.
The seals or glue which hold the windscreen in place will be cut by the mechanic and removed from the car.
The unique primer agent will be applied to the vehicle's framework and allowed to dry, and a bonding glue will be applied to the new windscreen before it is fitted into place. This will ensure a stronghold is secured.
The sticking agents need at least an hour to dry, and the vehicle cannot be driven away before this time.
Why does my windscreen get condensation on it?
Condensation happens when warm air meets the cool surface of your windscreen, turning water vapour into water. While driving, your and your passengers’ breath can cause this, but it sometimes occurs overnight.
How to get rid of condensation:
Clean your windows inside and out - moisture clings to dirt particles.
Switch on your blower and wipe the windows.
Get rid of damp items (such as towels & coats).
Fill a pair of tights with cat litter and leave it in your car (it works, trust us).
How to clean your car’s windscreen
1. Preparation is key
First, lift your windscreen wipers to be vertical and clean the glass using plain water and a brush to get rid of any excess dirt. Make sure the surface is dry before continuing with the next steps.
2. Glass cleaner
Pick up a bottle of alcohol-based glass cleaner and spray it on half of your windscreen. Wipe the glass with long strokes using a microfibre cloth.
3. Repeat
Carry out the same process on the other side of your windscreen.
4. Wipers
Many people tend to neglect their windscreen wipers, but it’s a good idea to clean their rubber parts using screenwash. Find out how to clean and replace your windscreen wipers.
5. Buff
Taking a second dry and clean microfibre cloth, buff the glass for a squeaky clean shine.
6. Inside
Repeat this process on the inside of the windscreen - don’t forget to use clean cloths!
How to remove scratches from your windscreen
Not only are scratches on your windscreen annoying, but they can also pose a hazard if they interfere with your view of the road. Fortunately, it’s possible to fix them at home in some circumstances.
The first thing to do is perform the fingernail test. Run your nail over the windscreen where the scratch is, and if your nail catches, this is a sign that the scratch is too deep for you to fix yourself.
If the scratch is shallow enough, you’ll need to purchase some polish formulated for windscreen glass. Next, take a microfibre cloth and gently polish the area where the scratch is. After a few minutes, you should see results.
However, some slightly deeper scratches require a motorised buffing/polishing tool. In this case, you could attach a rubber polishing wheel to a regular hand drill.
Ultimately, your success will depend on the scratch's severity, and it might be best to have your car fixed by a professional.
How often do windscreen wipers need to be replaced?
As you might expect, the lifespan of your windscreen wipers depends entirely on the brand, the quality, and the weather conditions in which you usually drive.
Common signs that your wipers need replacing are:
An unusual sound, such as scratching, when they are in motion.
Skipping across the windscreen.
Leaving streaks behind.
Noticeably bent frames.
Irregular movements.
How much does it cost to replace windscreen wipers?
Replacement wiper blades usually cost between £15 and £30 each, so overall, they’re affordable. Replacing them is also relatively simple; you should be able to do this in no time.
If your windscreen needs repairing or replacing, you can use FixMyCar to find the right garage at the right price.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers in a language they understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.