TEN MILLION MOTORISTS MUST NIP CHIPS IN THE BUD BEFORE WINTER

More than one-in-three British motorists are driving around with at least one chip in their windscreen, according to new research by Kwik-Fit. In response to these findings the company is urging motorists to avoid cracking up on the roads this winter by taking advantage of its new windscreen repair service.

Even the smallest chip in a windscreen can quickly spread causing even more damage and eventually become irreparable. Evidence also shows that extremely cold weather conditions can act as a catalyst to this process.

But most motorists (46%) are totally unaware that chips can lead to further damage citing that the damage ‘isn’t in the driver’s immediate vision’ as the reason they haven’t got their chip(s) repaired.

A further 37% blamed the fact that they just hadn’t got round to repairing it, while 9% think that a chipped windscreen is costly to repair - oblivious to the fact that most insurers cover the entire cost of windscreen repairs and will not even treat it as a policy claim. Interestingly 8% said they were waiting for a ‘collection’ of chips before getting their chip sorted.

Accounting for up to 30% of a vehicle’s structural strength, a damaged windscreen not only weakens its rigidity but also can reduce the effectiveness of passenger airbags which rely on the support of the windscreen to deploy correctly.

To help, Kwik-Fit has launched a new windscreen repair service that is guaranteed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Taking under half an hour to do, the repaired section will be stronger than the undamaged glass. For the minority of motorists whose windscreen isn’t covered by insurance Kwik-Fit’s glass repair costs £44.95. All repairs are acceptable for MOT tests.

David White, customer services director commented, “Many drivers wrongly assume that a crack or chip in their windscreen means replacing the entire piece of glass. But in reality most chips can be easily repaired by an expert. The winter months account for more damaged windscreens than any other time of year and it’s vital that motorists nip chips in the bud before they become too big to repair and become dangerous. Drivers who are in any doubt about the condition of their windscreen can visit one of our centres and it will be checked for free.”

All Kwik-Fit glass technicians are specially trained and all work is carried out in accordance with the British Standard windscreen repair guidelines.