A viral Reddit post has sparked debate among UK motorists after a driver claimed their car failed its MOT due to a small sticker on the windscreen, hidden behind the rear-view mirror. Specialists at Indigo Car Hire confirm this is plausible under UK MOT rules.
During an MOT, examiners assess driver visibility through the windscreen. The area cleared by wipers is divided into sections, and any obstruction—including stickers, parking permits, dashcam mounts or phone holders—can cause a failure if it exceeds size limits. In the Reddit case, the sticker was within the swept zone; after removal, the car passed.
Cherie Carter, director at Indigo Car Hire, said: 'A lot of motorists assume small stickers or permits on the windscreen don't matter, especially if they're tucked behind the mirror. MOT testers have to follow very specific visibility rules.'
Other surprising MOT failures include empty windscreen washer bottles and dashboard warning lights. With over 30 million MOT tests annually in the UK, minor oversights can mean the difference between a pass and a frustrating return trip.
