Windscreen Replacement

Windscreen Replacement FAQs

Front Windscreen FAQs

Are car workshops a waste of time?

At UK car glass, we respect your time and believe you should spend it on things you enjoy. That is why we are willing to come to your preferred location to replace your windscreen. We would only ask you to come to us in cases when there is calibration involved, which can not be done mobile at your location.

We ensure to refit all your standard equipment into your new windscreen, such as the rearview mirror. When you book with us, we offer a straightforward way to save time and money when replacing the windscreen.

Where can I get my car glass replaced?

Our mobile service is available all year round. We are ready to drive to any location on the mainland or where it is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Please note that in the event of rain, we must be able to work on the vehicle in dry conditions, as we do not install new car glass in wet conditions.

How do I select the correct car glass on the website?

When you initiate the step-by-step ordering process, you begin by filling out the glass type, car’s brand, model and year of manufacturing. It’s easy to choose the car window you need as you progress through the form.

As a safeguard, we will also conduct a parts check for your vehicle to ensure you receive the correct car glass for your model.

Can my car fail MOT with a broken windscreen?

Yes! A windscreen is crucial to the driver’s visibility, so the MOT considers the state of your windscreen. Scratches and other damage to the windscreen can result in a failed MOT.

Having any windscreen cracks or chips repaired is vital before your MOT assessment.

Do you need an intact windscreen for MOT?

A windscreen cannot have a chip larger than 1 cm in the driver’s line of sight to pass the MOT.

Regardless of the position, a chip or crack larger than 4 cm on the windscreen will almost certainly result in a failed MOT.

How can rust affect windscreen replacement?

One of the causes of corrosion stems from an improperly installed windscreen - when it is not the first replacement of the screen. You can always see if the previous owner has replaced the windscreen when you can not see a logo of your car brand on the glass on either the left or right bottom corner.

Additionally, a stone chip around the windscreen frame that is left untreated can cause corrosion to spread into part of the areas that hold on to the windscreen.

Our technician will try to clean and prep the area to the best possible condition before fitting the new glass. For obvious reasons, our two-year warranty does not apply in this scenario, as a lasting result can not be guaranteed.

The technician will take the necessary documentation of the corrosion and inform the customer that the warranty will be voided.

What is ADAS windscreen calibration?

Windscreen calibration is crucial to ensuring that the ADAS systems related to the windscreen work correctly after a replacement. We calibrate all types of equipment. Some ADAS functions need special conditions to be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Therefore, you might need to drive to the nearest workshop to ensure the correct alignment of the new windscreen in your car.

What is ADAS?

ADAS is an acronym for advanced driver-assistance systems. Various systems have been incorporated into the vehicle to enhance safety and offer greater comfort. These systems work by alerting the driver to potential dangers and, when necessary, activating safeguards or taking temporary control over the vehicle. ADAS include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, road sign recognition, and many other.

Colour tone in car glass

How can I see if my car glass has a colour tone? Approximately 90% of all windscreens have a green colour tone. If your front windscreen has a colour tone, your side windows also have one.

Please do the following:

• 1. Roll down the side window halfway
• 2. Place a half-page of white paper behind the side window
• 3. Look for a colour tone through the side window where the paper is.

If you notice the paper is green or blue, you will also have the same tone of colour on your front and rear windscreen.

There are instances where the car windscreen and the other car glass are not identical in colour tone; this is when the rear windscreen and door glass are equipped with privacy glass. The colour tone of privacy glass can be dark green or moderately black.

Is my windscreen solar coated?

You can identify a solar-coated windscreen by the purple-like shade. Premium models from Audi, Mercedes or Tesla tend to have a solar-coated windscreen.

An alternative to solar coating is a coated windscreen. This type of screen consists of an extra layer of plastic with increased heat reflection properties.

Does my windscreen have a rain sensor?

Many modern cars are equipped with a rain sensor, which automatically activates the wipers when it detects water on the windscreen. If you are unsure if you have one, do not worry!

When you select the make and model on our website form, we'll ask you about a rain sensor if applicable to your windscreen. We'll also provide an illustrative guide that helps you determine if you are still unsure.

How do I know if my car has a heated glass?

Generally, you can see thin orange wires for heating in the glass on the rear windscreens. In comparison, they are less visible on the windscreen. Still, in most cases, you should have a button on the instrument board to activate the heated windscreen.

When you go through our booking flow, you'll find a guide that will make it clear if your car model has a heated windscreen or not.

Is OEM car glass better than aftermarket glass?

Our supplier sets the quality of our windscreens. They manufacture and buy car glass from original equipment manufacturers (OEM). This means that the windscreens we use are often the same quality as OE windscreens; they just don’t have the car brand’s logo printed. For clarity purposes, we can install OE, OEM and OEE car glass to your vehicle.

Reach out to us in advance if you want original glass fitted to your car, as these are not selected as default.

How long will my car glass replacement take?

Our technicians typically need one hour (or less) to complete the car glass replacement. For more complex replacement, the technician needs a longer time to, for instance, calibrate the ADAS systems.

Please note that the car MUST be left stationary for at least 30 minutes after the glass replacement. This "dry-up" period involves replacements where an adhesive has been used, which is the case for windscreens, back windows and fixed side windows.

We never leave the location until everything is fixed and ready.

How does payment work?

Your card will only be charged after the replacement. Until then, the funds are temporarily reserved, usually for up to six days, before they are automatically deducted. This process is only relevant if you book more than a week in advance.

What does the result of a windscreen chip repair look like?

The windscreen repair process requires the technician to be extremely careful to obtain the best result. In most cases, you will only notice a chip repair if you look for it. However, a shade or matte stain can be visible after a repair, mainly because other materials, such as resin and a pit-filler, are injected into the glass. These plastic substances are not as blank in their property as windscreen glass.

How long does it take to repair a windscreen chip?

Remember that a windscreen repair is an emergency solution that can help prolong the replacement down the line. A windscreen chip or crack usually takes 15-20 minutes to repair. But it is not guaranteed that the crack will not occur or expand once again at a later point.

How do cancellations work?

We offer a free-of-charge cancellation policy until the day before your appointment. If you choose to cancel last minute for any reason other than an error on our part, a £68 cancellation fee will be charged.

Do you provide a warranty?

We offer a two-year warranty on all car glass replacements. Just let us know if anything hasn’t gone the way you wanted with the car glass installation, and we’ll come out to repair or replace it as soon as possible.

Can a windscreen chip be repaired?

Do you have one or more stone chips in your windscreen? A repair is possible if the chip is smaller than a pound coin and at least 5 cm away from the edge of the windscreen. The process takes about 15-20 min, and remember that 1/10 times the windscreen repair can result in a crack.

If you're uncertain whether your car window is repairable, please send us an image on WhatsApp or email so we better can assess the damage.

Is a replacement possible when it rains?

Should it rain on the replacement day, we will coordinate with you to find a new time and date—unless you have a garage or sufficient cover where the replacement can take place in dry conditions.

How do you replace a broken windscreen?

To process of replacing a damaged windscreen:

1) The entire old windscreen must be cut free
2) Old glue is removed from the car frame
3) Primer applied to the frame
4) The new adhesive is applied on the frame or windscreen
5) The windscreen is fitted correctly with high precision
6) Calibration of the ADAS systems

Not only do we provide a high quality product, but we also dispose of old windscreen responsibly.

When to replace a windscreen?

It would be best if you had a replacement windscreen whenever your vision is reduced because of a crack, a large stone chip, or a scratched windscreen. If you are lucky, you can still "save" the windscreen when you have minor stone chips and cracks in the front windscreen.

Remember that a windscreen repair is a temporary solution and an alternative to a more expensive windscreen replacement here and now.

What causes cracks in windscreens to spread?

Temperature changes are the most common reason for windscreen cracks spreading. A contaminated windscreen crack or stone chip (one filled with liquid) will likely spread due to the temperature changes mentioned above.

Cracks can also spread from vibrations from car bumps along rough roads. Any pressure on the inside of the windscreen, especially near the damage, will also cause it to spread.

Always place a seethrough sticker or tape over the damaged area to keep the area dry and clean until you can get it repaired or replaced. Doing this will increase the probability of a successful windscreen repair.

Finally, If you have any damage to your windscreen, it’s important to get a windscreen repair as soon as possible.

What do you need from me on the replacement day?

We need just two things from you: a key (or access) to your car and a little space (1.5 m to both sides) around the vehicle , where our technician can do the glass replacement.

A cost-effective windscreen replacement process

Save money on windscreen replacement at a location of your choice. We all wish to save money when possible, but it must not occur by compromising quality, safety and service.

Sometimes it is not the case of saving but as simple as a bad quality product. We deliver the same service and quality as any other authorised workshop. We guarantee that we are at least as good or better at installing your new windscreen.

Our biggest strength is that "windscreen replacement" is all we do day in and day out. Firstly the damaged windscreen will be removed and replaced with a shiny new windscreen at a favourable price compared to physical workshops. You will get an expert windscreen replacement technician at your address.

How much does a windscreen replacement cost?

The windscreen replacement cost depends on different attributes of your current glass. Additional factors such as colour tone, heated glass, rain sensor, front camera, lane assist, and the heads-up display will ultimately increase the price.

Please fill out all the details and answer any additional questions related to your model to find the exact replacement price.

Can a windscreen replacement count as an Insurance claim?

Most insurance policies allow you to replace your windscreen and don't count this as an insurance claim; all you must pay is the excess. Just check the excess amount on your policy to confirm the exact price you will pay.