A staggering 216,388 vehicles failed their MOTs in 2025 due to faulty washer jets, according to fresh data obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). That’s the equivalent of an eye-opening 592 MOT failures every single day last year! The figures, released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by eBay, shine a spotlight on a surprisingly common – and easily preventable – issue faced by UK motorists.
The DVSA’s data suggests that many drivers remain in the dark about the importance of fully functioning washer jets. In fact, a dedicated study by eBay, the UK’s leading online marketplace for car parts and accessories, found that more than a quarter (26%) of motorists were unaware that a faulty washer jet could result in an MOT failure.
Windscreen washers are a critical safety feature, keeping drivers’ views clear and helping prevent accidents. Yet, the research revealed that over one in ten (13%) drivers confessed to never checking their washer jets, with 21% only inspecting them when an MOT or service is due.
Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay, emphasised the issue: “Small and simple parts like washer jets can easily slip under the radar, but it’s crucial that motorists check them regularly – especially ahead of long journeys or the annual MOT. Last year’s high number of MOT failures caused by washer jets is entirely avoidable with an inexpensive fix, often using parts readily available on eBay.”
The research also uncovered a lack of confidence among car owners in their ability to tackle washer jet repairs. Nearly seven out of ten (69%) admitted they wouldn’t feel confident replacing or fixing washer nozzles themselves.
eBay is keen to help drivers take control of their vehicle maintenance, offering an extensive range of parts and accessories that are easy to find and fit. With its My Garage feature, users can input their vehicle registration to ensure every part they find – including washer jets – is fully compatible, making pre-MOT checks more straightforward than ever.
Further DVSA figures reveal that incorrect washer jet alignment was responsible for an additional 29,405 MOT failures in 2025. eBay’s research found that more than half of car owners (58%) were unaware that incorrect alignment could lead to a failed MOT, and 62% admitted they don’t know how to properly re-align their washer jets.
With such a simple fix standing between motorists and a successful MOT, now is the perfect time for drivers to add washer jet checks to their regular maintenance routine.
