How To Change Your Wipers

Twenty per cent of all accidents are caused by poor visibility. If they no longer clear the screen properly, you cannot see the road ahead clearly and you are posing a danger to yourself and other road users. You could be fined £1,000 and have points put on your licence if you are stopped by the police. Worn or damaged wipers will fail an MOT.


Typically, a set of wiper blades will last 12 months, unless they're damaged. If so - they need replacing immediately. It is recommended that you replace the whole wiper and not just the rubber blade as the wiper itself becomes damaged and worn over the course of its life. Halfords Easy Fit sets and Bosch blades come with pre-fitted adaptors to aid with fitting. Clear fitting instructions are included on each packet.


To ensure you buy the right ones for your car, note the vehicle's exact model and year of manufacture. Halfords have online and in-store customer buying guides that you can use to ensure that you buy the right blade for your car.


Before starting, consult the owners' handbook or Haynes Manual for your car (if available) which may explain in greater detail how to proceed. It's also a good idea if you've got a digital camera to take a close-up snap of the existing blades - use this as a handy reference should you get stuck.

Step 1:

Raise the wiper arm off the screen. Prise away the blade and holder from the wiper arm by pushing its locking tab inwards. Hold it while you push blade and holder gently towards the bonnet.

Step 2:

Take the new blade and holder from the packet and check that you have it the correct way up (look across to the other blade on the windscreen and compare if you're not sure).

Step 3:

Replace the blade and holder on to the wiper arm. This is usually the straight reverse of what you did to remove it. Ensure it locks into place with a 'click' and that you have fitted it the right way round (so that it sits flush to the screen)

Step 4:

Lower the wiper arm so that the blade sits neatly at the base of the screen. Check that it fits and will wipe the screen correctly.

Halfords offers a unique fitting service called 'We fit' if you prefer not to fit the wipers yourself.