Home › Guides › Windscreen chip: repair or replace?
Windscreen chip: repair or replace?
Updated October 2026
Whether a chip can be repaired depends on three things: size, position and type.
Size and position
The area directly in front of the driver, about 290 mm wide and centred on the steering wheel, is the most important. Damage here should be no bigger than about 10 mm (roughly a 5p coin) for a repair to be suitable. In the rest of the area swept by the wipers, chips up to about 40 mm can often be repaired.
Near the edge
Chips close to the edge of the glass are more likely to spread, because the edges carry more stress. Repairers often won't repair damage within a few centimetres of the edge.
Type of damage
- Bullseye: a round chip, usually repairs well
- Star break: short cracks spreading from the centre, often repairable if small
- Combination break: a mix of both
- Long crack: normally needs a new windscreen
Until it's fixed, cover the chip with clear tape to keep out dirt and water, and avoid blasting hot air on a cold screen.
Need help?
Use the form to send a free enquiry. We'll pass it to an independent local windscreen chip repair provider.