Could a simple screenwash check save your fleet from an MOT failure?
When you are running a fleet, there is always something demanding your attention. Fuel costs, servicing, driver schedules and customer commitments all need managing.
Against that backdrop, checking screenwash can seem like a small job. But a washer system that cannot clear the windscreen can cause an MOT failure and leave a driver struggling to see the road.
My advice is straightforward: make the simple checks a habit, keep the right products available and deal with defects before they disrupt the working day.
Can a car fail its MOT for an empty screenwash bottle?
Yes. If an empty screenwash reservoir means the washers cannot supply enough fluid to clear the windscreen, the vehicle can fail its MOT.
The official MOT inspection manual classifies washers that do not work, or do not provide sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, as a major defect. GOV.UK
The important point is whether the system works effectively. Topping up the reservoir will not solve a failed pump, leaking hose or blocked jet.
Before presenting a vehicle for its test, check that fluid reaches the glass and the wipers clear it properly. It is a quick job that can prevent an avoidable problem.
Clear visibility matters on every journey
An MOT is one reason to look after the washer system. The more immediate reason is the person behind the wheel.
Road spray, dirt, insects and salt can quickly build up on the glass. Add low autumn sunshine or headlights after dark, and a dirty windscreen becomes a real distraction.
For a business, an overlooked fault can also mean a delayed departure, a workshop visit or a vehicle unavailable when you need it. Those interruptions can cost far more than a routine top-up.
I would rather see drivers identify a problem before leaving the depot than discover it when passing traffic covers the windscreen in spray.
Choosing the right screenwash for your fleet
Choose screenwash to suit the conditions your vehicles will encounter, and follow the product instructions.
Ready-to-use products offer straightforward filling, while concentrates need the correct dilution. Adding too much water can reduce the protection you were expecting in cold weather.
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we can help you choose premium screenwash for your fleet and discuss supply arrangements that make regular top-ups easier.
Keep suitable stock where drivers or maintenance staff can access it, and make sure everyone knows which product to use. A bottle on a shelf is only useful if it reaches the vehicle when needed.
Steps to maintain to avoid an empty screenwash system
Build checks into the daily routine
Include screenwash levels and washer operation in your daily vehicle checks. Check the reservoir as appropriate for the vehicle, briefly operate the washers and confirm that the wipers clear the glass.
Through Fleetmaxx, our CheckedSafe app offering can help you include these checks in your daily inspection checklist. Drivers can complete checks digitally and report defects, giving the team a record to follow up rather than relying on someone remembering a conversation.
We can help you incorporate screenwash levels, washer operation and wiper condition into a checklist suited to your vehicles. CheckedSafe supports digital vehicle inspections and custom checklists.
Top up before you have an empty screenwash reservoir
Check levels regularly and more frequently when vehicles are using their washers heavily. Longer journeys and wet, dirty roads can increase consumption.
Use the correct reservoir and follow the screenwash manufacturer’s instructions.
Check jets, wipers and leaks
Look for weak or uneven spray, fluid missing the glass, damaged blades and persistent smearing. If performance is poor, arrange for the system to be checked.
Repeatedly needing to refill the reservoir may indicate a leak. Record the issue and have it investigated.
Prepare for colder weather
Review the screenwash in your vehicles before temperatures fall. Select a suitable winter formula and use the specified concentration.
If the washer system is frozen or cannot clear the windscreen, resolve the problem before using the vehicle.
Remember the engine antifreeze too
Winter preparation should also include the cooling system.
Fleetmaxx can help with antifreeze and other vehicle fluids, alongside premium screenwash. Ask your maintenance provider to check coolant condition, concentration and compatibility with the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements.
Engine antifreeze belongs in the cooling system and must never be added to the screenwash reservoir. Use a dedicated winter screenwash for windscreen cleaning and cold-weather protection.
Keep the checks simple and consistent
Good fleet maintenance depends on everyday jobs being completed properly, recorded and followed up.
Checking for an empty screenwash bottle, testing the washers and reporting a worn wiper blade are manageable tasks. Making them part of a consistent routine helps prevent small problems becoming interruptions to your business.
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we can support you with premium screenwash, antifreeze and CheckedSafe digital vehicle checks.
Call our team on 01367 704 910 or explore our premium screenwash range to discuss what your fleet needs.
