Recorded in
0.7% 82% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 737,179 records across 1,762 models.
Visibility → Washers not working
The Washers not working MOT failure is recorded in 0.7% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 737,179 records across 1,762 models. A typical repair costs £5–£15. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Fiat Bravo records it most often for its size.
Fixed at the test
18%
were put right on the spot, so a fail was not recorded.
Typical cost
£5–£15
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Washers not working means on an MOT
Washers not working is an MOT inspection item in the visibility section of the manual. The tester records it when they see the condition the description names — here, when washers not working. How serious it is — fail, minor or advisory — comes from the tester's grading in the DVSA record, not from this page.
How common is Washers not working on an MOT?
Recorded in 0.7% of every MOT test in our data — 737,179 records across 1,762 models. That is 1% in every hundred tests, which puts Washers not working in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 737,179 records for this item, 81.9% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 18.1% were put right at the test and recorded as rectified.
What does it cost to fix Washers not working?
A typical repair on this item costs £5–£15 at UK prices, and it is usually a DIY or independent-garage job. The bracket is our estimate from reported prices and parts, rather than a DVSA figure — see how it is built on the method page.
How the price brackets are built · full repair cost list · add it to your fail-sheet total.
Models that record Washers not working most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Fiat Bravo and Peugeot 207 lead the list: Fiat Bravo records it on 2.5% of its tests. The rate, not the volume, is what matters here — a model with 20,000 tests can outrank one with a million.
| # | Model | Rate | Tests | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiat Bravo | 2.5% | 20,488 | — |
| 2 | Peugeot 207 | 2.0% | 541,214 | — |
| 3 | Volkswagen Fox | 2.0% | 104,121 | — |
| 4 | Vauxhall Astravan | 1.9% | 30,363 | — |
| 5 | Citroen C2 | 1.9% | 43,091 | — |
| 6 | Citroen DS3 | 1.8% | 290,266 | — |
| 7 | Fiat Scudo | 1.8% | 32,202 | — |
| 8 | Nissan Pathfinder | 1.8% | 22,325 | — |
| 9 | SsangYong Tivoli | 1.7% | 22,644 | — |
| 10 | Peugeot 307 | 1.6% | 121,498 | — |
| 11 | SEAT Ibiza | 1.6% | 710,421 | 2.3× · year by year → |
| 12 | Renault Kangoo | 1.5% | 221,971 | 2.1× · year by year → |
| 13 | Citroen C3 | 1.5% | 710,132 | 2.1× · year by year → |
| 14 | DS DS3 | 1.5% | 118,672 | — |
| 15 | Citroen Berlingo | 1.4% | 696,815 | 2.1× · year by year → |
| 16 | Vauxhall Zafira | 1.4% | 764,910 | 2.0× · year by year → |
| 17 | Citroen Dispatch | 1.4% | 180,027 | 2.0× · year by year → |
| 18 | Peugeot 407 | 1.4% | 35,494 | — |
| 19 | Citroen Xsara | 1.4% | 106,340 | — |
| 20 | Peugeot Partner | 1.4% | 564,170 | 2.0× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Washers not working
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 0.8% |
| 2012 | 0.8% |
| 2013 | 0.8% |
| 2014 | 0.7% |
| 2015 | 0.6% |
| 2016 | 0.5% |
| 2017 | 0.5% |
| 2018 | 0.4% |
| 2019 | 0.3% |
| 2020 | 0.3% |
| 2021 | 0.3% |
| 2022 | 0.2% |
| 2023 | 0.2% |
| 2024 | 0.1% |
| 2025 | 0.1% |
These are rates by year of registration from 2010 to 2025, not year of test, so the curve mostly reflects age — a recent car has barely been to a test station. Compare models at the same age instead.
Frequently asked questions about Washers not working
How common is Washers not working on an MOT?
It is recorded in 0.7% of all MOT tests — 737,179 records across 1,762 models.
Does Washers not working fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
81.9% of the records for it are a fail, 18.1% were fixed at the test, 0.0% are minor and 0.0% are advisories. In short, it is a fail (Major or Dangerous) most of the time.
Which cars record Washers not working most often?
Fiat Bravo and Peugeot 207 head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Fiat Bravo records it on 2.5%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Washers not working?
Typically £5–£15 fitted, and it is usually a DIY or independent-garage job. That is an estimate from reported prices, not a DVSA figure.
All 83 common MOT failures → Repair cost list → Failed your MOT? What now →