Windscreen crack repair/replacment

[inbritain]

Hi, there

I got a tiny chip (about bean size) on my windscreen of Golf MKIII a few years ago, and it is staying quietly and didn't cause me any trouble like (passing the MOT without any problem).

Unfortunately when I drove this morning and a stone happened hit the area adjacent to the chip, and created a crack (8cm-10cm) cross the chip.

As I only insured my car third party and it's not possible to repair or replace it covered by policy. So I am just wondering what the best way to deal with the crack. Apparentlythe car will definitely fail the MOT because of the size of this crack.

Any ideas?

BTW, Autoglass quoted 350 (can you believe it??!! I can't ! ) to replace it because they said they can't repair it.

[zollaf]

have a look in the yellow pages and call a few of the less popular windscreen companies for a quote. theres a place i used to use in aylesbury that are ridiculously cheap. i had one for an old audi 80 several years ago for £85 all in, and they came out to milton keynes.

[NickPicks]

I had a Golf 3 windscreen replaced this year for £120 by a local independent fitter. Autoglass only do jobs for insurance companies, so they charge a ridiculous amount (they quoted me about £400)

Where is the crack? If it's within the driver's eyeline, it can be a max of 10mm, outside that I think it's 40mm. They can't usually repair within 50mm of the windscreen edge. Have a look ad vosa's website for windscreen MOT requirements, and they have the exact measurements. Alternatively, pop into your friendly neighbourhood MOT station and ask them.

If they wouldn't fail it in its current state, you can get diy kits to fill cracks, which should/might stop it from growing.

[inbritain]

Thanks. I will bring my car to MOT test centre tomorrow for adivice...

Do you guys think it might be worth waiting till I renew due in July, so I can get windscreen cover and then sort it out if it's an option?

[DropKickMurphy]

you can be pulled by the police for this sort of thing but it depends how busy they are i guess, i had a massive crack in the screen of my old Mk3 which i was intending to get repaired as soon as funds allowed but i ended up selling it.

I guess as long as your insurance is due before your MOT it'd be worth upgrading to fully comp or at least get glass cover and then get it done under warranty. however i would look seriously at local windscreen firms, as you will pay £70 (at least) excess on your insurance plus whatever the glass cover costs (around £25 i'm guessing) and you can almost certainly get a replacement screen from a company that isnt Autoglass for this sort of money - it might just be worth biting the bullet, you will be amazed at the difference a brand spanking new screen makes!

DKM

[inbritain]

The guy from the garage said : No, the crack is bigger than 40mm, it will fail the MOT...

DropKickMurphy, you are absolutely right, even covered by FC, I may still end up with paying £75 excess for the replacement. Whilelist a bloke from White Horse Windscreen quoted £130 for the job.

[DropKickMurphy]

it also helps the little companies who dont get the insurance jobs pushed their way, i had a rear screen replaced in a fiat punto a few years ago by a small local company who came to me, did the job in 40 mins and gave exemplary service - and it cost less than 1/3 what autoglass quoted.

i was happy as a pig in slop until the head gasket blew a few weeks later!

i like to help the small local companies who arent guaranteed work from insurance contracts.

DKM