Windscreen Wiper Motor repair & replacement made easy

The windscreen wiper motor powers the wiper arm(s) to make them move across the glass to clear the water and debris from it using the wiper blades.

The connection to the arms(s) is either direct or via a windscreen wiper linkage.

• The mechanic will inspect the windscreen wiper system.
• The mechanic will carry out checks to determine the exact fault in the electrical system.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the windscreen wiper motor.
• The mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• The mechanic will test the windscreen's wiper system to ensure it works correctly. If necessary, the mechanic will make adjustments.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a windscreen wiper motor replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• Wipers do not move / front wiper motor does not work
• Front wipers move slowly
• Erratic front wiper motion

A windscreen wiper motor replacement usually takes around 1 hour, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

It is likely a windscreen wiper motor will need to be replaced once or more during a vehicle lifetime depending on conditions. As the windscreen wiper is a vital piece of the vehicle's safety equipment and a legal requirement (for the front screen) then as soon as any issue arises. Do not be tempted to chance driving with a faulty windscreen wiper component, even if it is a dry sunny day, as conditions can change and other influences such as the car in front going through a puddle, can cause you a problem.

Obviously there is little you can do about wear and tear over the years, even with the following advice.

• Don’t switch on the wiper system when the blades are frozen to the windscreen. This causes undue stress on the motor and can lead to it burning out
• Similarly if the the vehicle hasn’t been used for a while, lifting off the wiper blades from the screen will unstick them and cause less stress on the motor when you first use it
• Always switch off the windscreen wipers before switching the engine off and leaving the car. This will ensure that they do not come on automatically the next time you start the engine (preventing the above scenarios) but also allows the wiper arms to be “parked” and not left at an unusual angle with which to start from. Again, this reduces the stress on the motor.
• Regular basic maintenance, such as lubricating the wiper motor linkage and replacing worn wiper blades all help with longevity of the motor.

Usually the windscreen wiper will completely stop working, in other words it will not work on any speed. If you switch the wipers to the on position and cannot hear any sound from the area close to the screen, it's pretty much going to be a fault with the motor or at least the fuse that covers it.

Some makes, such as Peugeot/Citroen have common faults with the column switches as well, which can have the same outcome, but the mechanic will be able to tell fairly quickly if this is the case.

Another indication of a failing windscreen wiper motor is then the wipers themselves either move jerkily or slowly across the screen.

The wiper motor is a powerful but small electric motor that is switched on by the driver either using the column mounted wiper stalk or by a separate switch. Some vehicles are equipped with rain sensing devices that will switch the motor on automatically for the driver.

Power is fed to the wiper motor through a fuse and a relay and depending on the switch position can produce intermittent wipes, standard speed wipes or fast wipes depending on the requirements of the conditions.

It is not uncommon for a motor to be replaced once or more during a vehicle lifetime depending on conditions. As the motor is frequently used, wear and tear will eventually cause it to malfunction, the same as any other electric motor.

There is little you can do about wear and tear over the years, aside from the following:

• Don’t switch on the wiper system when the blades are frozen to the windscreen. This causes undue stress on the motor and can lead to it burning out
• Similarly if the the vehicle hasn’t been used for a while, lifting off the wiper blades from the screen will unstick them and cause less stress on the motor when you first use it
• Always switch off the windscreen wipers before switching the engine off and leaving the car. This will ensure that they do not come on automatically the next time you start the engine (preventing the above scenarios) but also allows the wiper arms to be “parked” and not left at an unusual angle with which to start from. Again, this reduces the stress on the motor.
• Regular basic maintenance, such as lubricating the wiper motor linkage and replacing worn wiper blades all help with longevity of the motor.

The windscreen wiper / washer system enables you to clean your windscreen while driving. The wiper blades move over the windscreen's surface to clean it of dirt and debris. Normally the wiper blades are powered by an electric motor underneath the windscreen and is controlled by a windscreen wiper switch. Which, in the shape of a control stalk, is fitted to the steering column. The stalk will have a variety of different speed options, on top of that it also controls washer system.

• The mechanic will inspect the windscreen wiper system.
• The mechanic will test the components of the electrical system of the windscreen wipers to determine the exact fault in the electrical system.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the windscreen wiper switch.
• The mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• The mechanic will test the windscreen's wiper and washer system to ensure it works correctly.
• If necessary, the mechanic will make adjustments.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a windscreen wiper switch replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front, and ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work.

• When the wipers do not move.
• When the wipers do not turn on or off.
• When you cannot select different speeds.

A windscreen wiper motor replacement usually takes around 1 hour, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

At some point a windscreen wiper switch can fail. If the wipers do not move or a washer does not work it is not necessarily the wiper switch that is faulty. It can be that the system has blown a fuse or electrical connectors have corroded or have come loose.

Equally, it might be that the motor powering the wipers or the washer fluid pump has failed. At an inspection the mechanic will establish, step by step, what the exact fault in the electrical system is before replacing any parts.

Cost of a windscreen wiper switch replacement depends on your location, car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having your windscreen wiper switch replaced by ClickMechanic by selecting your car at the top of this page!

No, UK legislation sets out that all wipers which are required to be fitted to a vehicle by law must be properly adjusted and maintained in efficient working order. Faulty windscreen wipers therefore could mean you get fined if pulled over. Furthermore it is potentially a safety hazard as your vision of the road may be impaired if your are not able to wipe the windscreen in case of rain or dirt splashing onto the windscreen. If you suspect there is any issue with the windscreen wiper motor or there are concerns about its condition, book with a professional mechanic immediately so they can check and advise on next steps.

No, UK legislation sets out that all wipers which are required to be fitted to a vehicle by law must be properly adjusted and maintained in efficient working order. A faulty windscreen wiper switch therefore could mean you get fined if pulled over. Furthermore it is potentially a safety hazard as your vision of the road may be impaired if your are not able to wipe the windscreen in case of rain or dirt splashing onto the windscreen. If you suspect there is any issue with the windscreen wiper switch or there are concerns about its condition, book with a professional mechanic immediately so they can check and advise on next steps.

Typically, wiper blades should last 6-12 months but may last longer depending on usage frequency, weather conditions and overall maintenance.

Yes, wiper blades deteriorate with age, depending on the material they are made of. Generally rubber wiper blades may become brittle and can crack over time.

Yes, wiper blades are checked during an MOT. If they are damaged or do not clear the driver's view through the windscreen of water or dirt effectively, then it will likely result in an MOT failure.

Yes, if the windscreen wipers are not functioning correctly and cleaning the screen effectively due to a faulty wiper motor, this could be an MOT failure.

A windscreen wiper switch is a switch that is used to operate and control the speed of the windscreen wipers. A broken or faulty windscreen wiper switch could hamper this operation and result in an MOT fail. Remember, wipers are checked by the MOT tester to ensure they work and clean the screen effectively.