One in 10 motorists never check a simple part that could lead to a failed MOT according to eBay research

New research from eBay, one of the UK’s leading online marketplaces for car parts and accessories, has found that one in 10 motorists never check their wiper blades for faults or damage, despite them being a common factor in failed MOTs. 

A fifth (23%) of participants in the study only check the condition of their wiper blades when they have an MOT or service on their vehicle, while almost half of people (43%) change their wiper blades when their annual car check-up is due.

While they may not be considered a particularly important part to replace for many car owners, eBay’s data reveals that one in five (20%) UK drivers were not even aware that 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 that 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 comes to spotting the signs of damaged wiper blades. eBay’s research explored the knowledge of UK motorists, revealing that three-in-10 (31%) people could not confidently say they know how to change the wiper blades, with 42% of motorists admitting that 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.”

Wiper blades are one of the top-selling vehicle maintenance products on eBay, with February being the most popular month of all. This is no surprise, as March is typically the busiest month of the year for MOTs. 

Motorists can take advantage of eBay’s My Garage function to find the correct wiper blades for their vehicle, simply by entering their numberplate, and eBay is currently offering 10% off parts using code MOT10, to help drivers get their cars MOT ready, from 13-26 March.