Windscreen wipers streaking: causes and fixes

What usually causes wipers to streak

The most common cause is the rubber edge wearing out. Sun, frost and dirt harden and split the rubber over time, and a worn edge cannot sweep the screen clean — it leaves lines of water behind. A blade that is dirty can streak too, and so can a blade that no longer presses evenly on the screen because the arm is bent or the spring is weak.

Streaking can also come from the screen itself. A screen with a film of dirt, wax or tree sap on it will streak whatever the blades are like, and a chipped or pitted screen can catch the blade as it passes.

What to check by looking and listening

Look at the rubber edge of the blade — a split, a nick or a hardened edge means the blade is worn. Run your finger along the edge if you can reach it safely: a smooth edge is fine, a rough or split edge is not. Look at the screen too — a film of dirt or wax can make even new blades streak.

Wipers are a service item — they are changed when they start to streak, rather than at a set interval. If new blades still streak, the screen is the next thing to look at.

Which part is usually involved

Streaking most often points at the wiper blades themselves. The headlights and bulbs are the other parts that affect what you can see in bad weather.

• Wiper blades for your car
• Car bulbs for your car
• Headlights for your car

Frequently asked questions