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BookMyGarage is a free comparison and booking platform. You book here — the garage does the work, and you pay them directly. Learn more.

Why Book with BookMyGarage? 

  • We Show the Full Picture- all up front: prices, reviews, availability, and distance, so you can choose the right garage based on what matters most to you.

  • Real Reviews- genuine, verified feedback from drivers like you. Every review helps you book with confidence.

  • No Upfront Payment – we won’t ask for payment details when you book. Pay the repairer directly once the work’s complete*.

  • Support Local Repairers- we connect drivers with quality local businesses that keep communities moving.

  • Compare & Book in Seconds - see your options side by side and choose the right repairer for you. No jargon. No stress. No surprises.

 

*some mobile repairers (that come out to you) may require an upfront payment or commitment, please check this with them first.

 

These are just some of the reasons to choose BookMyGarage - enter your vehicle and damage details to see how we can help you make a confident, informed choice when booking your windscreen replacement now.

 

How it Works 

You can request your booking in seconds, with no long forms to fill out or pre-payment required. Just follow this five-step process to request an appointment at the right cosmetic repairer for you. 

  1. Enter your reg and postcode 

  2. Use our ‘splat’ tool which helps you correctly select your car’s damage and estimate the right cosmetic repair. You can select multiple repairs across multiple panels as part of your estimate (full price breakdown available in estimate details)

  3. Compare instant estimates from local repairers to find the best one for your needs 

  4. Select a suitable date and time and enter a few contact details to request a booking 

  5. Upload images of the damaged area(s). This will help your chosen repairer ensure you’ve requested the correct repair and been shown the right estimate.

 

Your chosen repairer will always double-check your selection before confirming the final price as well as the appointment details.

 

An image illustrating the BookMyGarage SMART repair splat tool.

Our cosmetic damage selection tool.

 

An image of the BookMyGarage SMART repair headpage

An example of what you'll see as you request your SMART repair booking.

 

Why Would I Not Just Go Through My Insurer? 

Although it might seem more convenient to make a claim through your insurance policy, booking a SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) repair yourself is usually the better long-term option – especially if you’ve worked hard to build up your no-claims discount. 

Making any sort of claim on your insurance may reset this, so why would you want to waste all your hard work on something you can easily sort on your own? 

Taking control of your SMART repair will also ensure your insurance premiums don’t rise in the long-term and, when you don’t have to worry about paying any excess, you might also be able to get a great deal in the process. 

You should still let your insurance provider know about any accidents or collisions, especially if there was another vehicle involved, even if you don’t plan on making a claim on your policy.

What Factors Influence Windscreen Replacement Costs?

In the UK, a windscreen replacement can cost around £345 on average, whilst a windscreen repair can cost an average of £57.

The cost of your windscreen replacement can vary depending on a range of factors, such as:

  • Vehicle make and model

  • Type of glass

  • Labour and fitting time

  • ADAS calibration

If you're looking for ways to save money, it pays to make an appointment before the chip spreads and to compare prices to see the best deals in your area.

 

Do I Need a Windscreen Repair or a Replacement?

If you’re looking for ways to minimise costs, it pays to have your windscreen looked at when you first notice any damage.

Depending on the size or location of the damage, your car may only need a windscreen repair and not a full replacement.

Chips that are smaller than a £1 coin can be repairable, depending on the location of the chip.

More extensive damage, damage that obstructs your view, or chips and cracks that spread will usually indicate that a replacement is required.

For instance, you may need a replacement if the windscreen has been struck by grit from a gritter, gravel or has been involved in a collision.

You should also book a windscreen replacement if any previous repairs haven't worked or you've noticed the damage has worsened.

Any significant cracks and chips - including those near the edge of the windscreen - should be addressed right away.

What Happens During a Windscreen Replacement?

During a professional windscreen replacement, the damage windscreen will be safely detached before the fitting area is cleaned and primed to be fitted with the new windscreen.

Using the right bonding materials, the new windscreen can be installed, with curing time factored in to make sure the glass is fitted properly.

A professional windscreen replacement can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to complete.

Be sure to listen to your technician to find out how soon you can drive the car again, to ensure that any adhesives have fully set.

 

Why Should I Book a Windscreen Replacement?

Having your windscreen professionally replaced ensures that you maintain visibility and the structure of the glass stays intact.

That means you can drive with confidence knowing your windscreen is in good condition - and you can give your car a better chance of passing the MOT test, too.

Prompt windscreen replacement keeps you safe and can save you money in the long run, so why wait to book yours?

Don't wait for a small issue to turn into a more expensive repair - it pays to be proactive about car maintenance.

Choose from a wide network of verified garages, knowing you'll be restoring your car's safety and your peace of mind.

Rely on reviews from real customers to help you choose the right garage for you - act now and book a professional windscreen replacement so you can get back on the road in no time.

 

Related Guides

How Much Does Windscreen Replacement Cost?

Wondering how much a windscreen replacement could cost you? This blog can give you a rough idea to help you budget effectively.

 

Frequently asked questions

Every repairer provides us with their hourly prices for labour and materials (consumables). We enter this into a pricing matrix along with the length of time needed for each SMART repair to generate our estimates. This means the price is linked to the type of cosmetic damage you’ve suffered rather than your vehicle type or engine size.
Repairers cannot confirm your booking until they have seen the damage for themselves as this helps them ensure you have booked the right repair and been shown the right estimate.

Providing images to help with this process ensures your estimate can be updated if you’ve selected the incorrect damage, avoiding your estimate significantly increasing when you arrive for your SMART repair.
No, if you’ve booked your SMART repair yourself it will not affect your no-claims bonus as you haven’t made a claim on your insurance policy.

You also don’t need to let your insurer know about any SMART repairs when it’s time to renew your policy, so it won’t result in a potential premium increase either.
Yes, there are many mobile repairers on our platform who can complete SMART repairs on your driveway to ensure they fit better into your busy life.

These listings are marked with a blue ‘Mobile’ badge to make it easier for you to see who can come and complete your cosmetic repair at home.
Every repairer sets and updates their own prices, so your estimate shouldn’t change if you’ve selected the correct damage.

If you’ve received estimates for a small scratch and it turns out your car needs a large scratch repair, for example, the price may change after the repairer reviews the images you upload.
We never ask for payment details upfront.

Once you’ve chosen a repairer, you deal with them directly from start to finish, paying only after the work is complete – giving you full peace of mind.
Windscreen replacement is the process of replacing chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged glass and fittings with a brand-new pane and strong adhesive to keep it in place.

It is not mandatory car maintenance, and you only need to replace your windscreen if it is damaged by stone chips or other debris.
Yes, in some cases you can repair a cracked windscreen instead of replacing the whole piece of glass.

However, there are strict criteria about when you can and can’t repair this damage. Failing to follow this guidance can lead to an MOT failure as well as a fine or prosecution if caught driving an unroadworthy car by the police.

A professional windscreen technician will always know whether you can or can’t repair the crack or chip based on its size and location.
You may only repair a crack or chip in your windscreen if it meets the following criteria:

Zone A (the area directly in the driver’s eyeline) – the damage may not have a diameter larger than 10mm.

Zone B (wider field of vision covered by the driver side windscreen wiper) – damage may not exceed 15mm in diameter (roughly the size of a 5p piece).

Zone C (swept area covered by the passenger side windscreen wiper) – damage may not exceed a 25mm diameter.

Zone D (the rest of the windscreen) – the damage may not exceed 40mm in diameter.

As it’s not always obvious which windscreen zone the damage is in, you should always rely on the opinion of a professional windscreen fitter rather than making the decision yourself.
If your policy doesn’t include windscreen cover, there is a good chance it will affect your no claims bonus if you claim for the replacement cost. As a result, we recommend researching your options before committing to going through your insurance provider as it may be cheaper for you to sort the replacement out yourself.

If windscreen cover is included in your policy, then your no claims bonus may not be affected. However, we would recommend checking the terms of your policy to see how making a claim on your car’s windscreen will affect your no claims bonus before you begin the process.
Yes, but it depends on the terms and cover of your policy. Some providers charge a lower excess for windscreen replacement, while others offer free windscreen repairs with no excess to pay.

If you’re thinking about claiming on your car insurance for a windscreen replacement, we recommend checking the terms of cover and other policy documents before doing so as it may be cheaper to sort a replacement windscreen yourself.
In general, you should wait around an hour before driving your vehicle. This is known as the ‘Safe Drive Away Time’ and ensures your new windscreen has bedded in properly and the adhesive has fully dried.

Some companies require you to wait longer after replacing your windscreen, so make sure to check with the technician who completes the repair how long you should wait to ensure the structural integrity of your new windscreen.
A windscreen replacement takes about an hour to complete, on average. The upside to this is that most mobile repairers will complete the replacement on your driveway, so you don’t have to interrupt your normal day.

A windscreen repair is much quicker to complete, taking about 30 minutes on average.
You shouldn’t attempt to complete a windscreen replacement yourself. It’s a very specialist job that requires plenty of training and experience to do properly, and you run the risk of injury or damaging your car if you try and do it yourself.

Moreover, it will be very difficult for you to find the equipment and replacement glass to complete the job at home.

We recommend contacting a local mobile repairer to replace your windscreen if you’ve noticed a chip or crack.