MOT Monday & Windscreen wiper not working

[Boo]

Got in my car this morning and windscreen was covered in ice. I got my de-icer out and melted all the ice off. However when I went to switch the windscreen wipers on the one on the passenger side wasn't doing anything and appears to be broken. It looks like the mechanism underneath has broken off the passenger side. Seat say the part will cost £40 but, its so tight to get anything in there to fix it with. Am I better off doing it before MOT or waiting to see if they will fix it at the garage when doing my MOT ?

 

[Russo]

Have you checked the nut at the base of the wiper? My wipers started to play up recently, slow movement, getting locked up, and the passenger side stopped working, and it turned out to be a loose nut, tightened it up and its all sorted!

 

[Boo]

I think it is the nut but, its fallen down inside. The actual lever is quite worn so it looks like it will need replacing. I cannot figure out how the hell your supposed to get your hands inside that tiny space to screw any nut on. I have small hands but, that looks impossible. Will it fail even if it just the passenger side ??

 

[uniamboman]

Yep I'm pretty sure it would fail, as the entire windscreen (the area swept by both wipers) needs to be able to be kept clean and clear.

If it looks like you can't fix it by Monday, why not cancel your MOT, get it fixed, then MOT it. I know you're not supposed to run past your MOT expiry date, but it is extremely unlikely the police will pull you over in the meantime. That's what I'd do.

Good luck!