The cost depends on whether you need new blades or a repair to the wiper system itself. Blades are an inexpensive part, while a wiper motor replacement costs more because of the labour involved.
Repair | Typical UK cost |
Wiper blades (parts only, per blade) | From around £5 to £10 for budget blades, more for premium blades. Fitting may be extra |
Front wiper motor replacement (parts and labour) | £110 to £300 |
Rear wiper motor replacement (parts and labour) | £60 to £110 |
Typical UK costs based on published industry estimates, as of 25th September 2026. All figures are for representative purposes only as prices vary depending on your make and model, the parts used and your chosen garage. Enter your reg and postcode to compare instant prices from local garages for your exact car.
Blade prices depend on the type your car uses. Flat or beam blades, conventional framed blades and hybrid blades all cost different amounts, and some cars need a specific blade to work properly with their rain sensor.
While you can replace windscreen wiper blades yourself, having a garage fit them means you get the right size and fitting without wrestling with fiddly clips.
A front wiper motor is usually more expensive than a rear one, as the garage often needs to remove the plastic panel below the windscreen to reach it.
The price also depends on your make and model, whether you choose a genuine or aftermarket motor and whether the wiper linkage needs replacing too, since the two are sometimes supplied as one unit.
The wiper motor sits under the plastic panel at the base of the windscreen and drives a set of arms called the linkage which sweep the wipers back and forth.
Most cars with a rear wiper have a separate, smaller motor in the tailgate. Motors can wear out with age, and they can also burn out if you switch the wipers on while they’re frozen to the screen, weighed down with snow or if water gets into the connections.
When you book a wiper motor replacement, the garage will first check the fuse, relay and switch to make sure it’s definitely causing your problem. If it is, they’ll remove the wiper arms and the panel below the screen, fit the new motor, check the linkage and make sure the wipers park in the right place. The job typically takes an hour or two for a front motor.
To prepare your wipers for winter, free frozen blades before switching them on, clear heavy snow by hand and book a winter safety check to make sure your car is generally in good condition for colder weather.
Most blades need replacing every six to 12 months, although heat, frost and heavy use can wear them out sooner. It’s worth replacing both front blades together, since they wear at a similar rate.
Every garage on our comparison site checks your windscreen wipers as part of our car servicing checklist, as well as during a vehicle safety check.
Faulty wipers can mean an MOT failure, because the MOT inspection manual lists a missing or non-working wiper as a major defect. The same applies to a blade that’s missing or not clearing the screen properly.
A worn blade that still clears the glass counts as a minor defect, so it won’t fail the test on its own but will be noted on your certificate.
The tester also checks your washers, which need to spray enough fluid for the wipers to clear the screen. That means it’s worth topping up your screen wash before the test.
Beyond the MOT, being able to see clearly is a legal requirement whenever you drive, and wipers that can’t clear the windscreen could lead to a fine if you’re stopped.
Worn blades usually show it on the glass:
Streaks, smears or patches of water left behind after each wipe
Juddering or skipping across the screen
Squeaking or scraping noises
Split, hardened or cracked rubber on the blade
Problems with the wiper motor or the parts that drive it look different:
The wipers don’t move at all, or you hear a hum or click but nothing happens
The wipers move slowly or struggle, especially in heavy rain
They stop partway across the screen or don’t return to their resting position
Only some speed settings work
One wiper arm moves but the other doesn’t
What you’re noticing | Likely cause |
Smearing, streaking, juddering or squeaking | Worn wiper blades |
No movement at all, or a humming or clicking sound | Wiper motor, fuse or relay |
The motor runs but the arms don’t move, or only one arm moves | Worn or disconnected wiper linkage |
Only some speeds work, or intermittent mode has stopped | Wiper switch (the stalk) or relay |
Wipers stop in the wrong place | Wiper motor, often its park switch |
A garage will confirm the cause before replacing anything, which saves you paying for a new motor when the problem is a blown fuse.
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