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Tyres, Maintenance & Roadworthiness

Can a cracked windscreen make a car unroadworthy?

Yes. Damage that interferes with the driver's view or affects the safe condition of the windscreen can make the vehicle unroadworthy and can cause MOT problems.

nidirect's maintenance guidance requires windows to be kept in a condition that preserves the driver's view.

A small chip can spread, especially with temperature changes, so early repair is often easier and cheaper than replacement.

If the damage is in the driver's critical field of vision, seek professional assessment rather than assuming it is acceptable because the crack looks small.

For 'Can a cracked windscreen make a car unroadworthy?', treat the issue as a current roadworthiness matter rather than something to leave until the next MOT. A valid MOT does not protect you if the vehicle develops a defect afterwards.

Check the current source for 'Can a cracked windscreen make a car unroadworthy?' before acting if the relevant rule, policy, fee or eligibility has recently changed. Keep any official confirmation or reference number produced by the process because it can help resolve a later query. This note is specific to answer 475.

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Sources checked for this answer

We use official and primary sources wherever possible rather than relying on generic AI-generated information.

Information checked: 25 September 2026
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