Buy Used and Reconditioned Wiper Motor parts at Breakeryard

What Is a Wiper Motor and What Does It Do?

The wiper motor is a crucial component of a vehicle’s windscreen wiper system, responsible for driving the wiper arms and blades that clear rain, snow, dirt, and debris from the windscreen and rear screen. 

Ensuring clear visibility at all times is essential for safe driving, and the wiper motor is at the heart of that function.

Found on both the front and rear of many vehicles, the wiper motor powers the sweeping motion that moves the wipers across the glass. 

Without a working wiper motor, the wiper system would fail completely, leaving the driver unable to see clearly during poor weather conditions.

How Does a Wiper Motor Work?

The wiper motor is an electric motor usually located under the bonnet, hidden beneath the plastic scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen. 

It is connected to a linkage system (or transmission) that converts the rotational motion of the motor into the back-and-forth movement of the wiper arms.

When the driver activates the wiper stalk switch, an electric current is sent to the motor. This energises the copper windings within the motor’s rotor, generating a magnetic field that causes the motor shaft to rotate. 

The resulting motion drives the linkage system, moving the wiper blades in a consistent and timed arc across the screen.

The motor operates on 12V DC power from the car’s battery and often uses carbon brushes to transfer power to the rotating components inside the motor.

Types of Wiper Motors

There are several types of wiper motor units depending on vehicle configuration:

• Front wiper motor – Most common, powers dual wipers on the windscreen
• Rear wiper motor – Fitted to hatchbacks, SUVs, and estates to clear the rear window
• Single-arm motors – Found on vehicles with single-blade wiper setups (e.g. some Mercedes models)
• Integrated wiper motor and linkage units – Some vehicles combine the motor and transmission into a single module
   

Always ensure you’re purchasing the correct motor for your make, model, and position (front or rear).

Common Wiper Motor Faults

Wiper motors are robust but do wear out over time. Common signs of a failing motor include:

• Wipers not moving at all
• Wipers moving slower than normal
• Wipers stuck in one position
• Inconsistent or jerky movement
• Noise or humming but no wiper movement
• Blown fuse or burning smell from motor area

Typical causes of failure:

• Burnt-out carbon brushes
• Short-circuited copper windings
• Water ingress or corrosion
• Worn internal gears or a seized linkage

When Should You Replace the Wiper Motor?

If your windscreen wipers stop working or perform inconsistently, even after replacing the blades or checking the fuse, the issue may lie with the motor itself. 

A damaged or malfunctioning motor should be replaced immediately, especially if visibility is compromised during rain or snow.

Purchasing a replacement wiper motor that is compatible with your car’s specifications is the best way to restore proper wiper function.

Buying the Right Wiper Motor for Your Car

At Breakeryard.com, we make it simple to buy a wiper motor that fits your vehicle:

• Enter your vehicle registration to find compatible parts
• Choose from front or rear wiper motors, new or used
• Save up to 80% vs dealer prices
• Get fast UK-wide delivery or use our collect service from local suppliers
• Buy with confidence – all parts are guaranteed and tested

Wiper Motors for All Major Manufacturers:

We supply wiper motors for:

• Ford, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Vauxhall, Mercedes-Benz
• Peugeot, Citroën, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia
• Skoda, SEAT, Renault, Volvo, Mini, Land Rover and many more

Need to Replace Your Wiper Motor?

Enter your reg number above to find the perfect match. Whether you need a front wiper motor, a rear window wiper motor, or a full motor and linkage unit, we’ve got you covered.