Two things decide whether a wiper blade fits your car: its length and the fitting where the blade meets the wiper arm. The length is easy to measure. The fitting is easy to recognise once you know what to look for. This guide shows the fittings we stock, how to tell them apart and which cars use them.
The fittings at a glance
| Fitting | How to recognise it | Examples from our range |
|---|---|---|
| U-hook | The end of the arm is bent into a U-shaped hook | Ford Transit 2006-2014, Nissan Qashqai 2014-2026, older Corsa, Golf and Fiesta |
| Push button | A clip with a button you press to release the blade | Ford Transit 2013-2023, Transit Custom, Fiesta 2008-2023, Astra 2015-2023 |
| Pinch tab | A clip with two tabs you squeeze together | Vauxhall Corsa 2006-2019, Qashqai 2007-2013, Transit Connect 2013 onwards |
| Side pin | A short pin sticking out of the side of the arm | Ford Focus 2004-2011, VW Golf 2002-2005, Astra 2004-2010 |
| SlimTop | A flat, narrow arm tip the blade slides onto from the end | VW Golf 2012 onwards, VW Polo 2009 onwards, Audi A1 |
| Bayonet | A bayonet connector on the arm | Renault Scenic III and Grand Scenic 2009-2017, Vauxhall Vivaro 2019 onwards |
Not sure which one you have? Email info@wipewave.co.uk with your registration and we will check it for you, or find your car on our shop by car page: every listing names its fitting.
U-hook
The most common fitting on older cars and still widely used: over 1,300 of our listings use it. The arm ends in a U-shaped hook and the blade's adapter clips inside it.
To remove: lift the locking flap and pull the blade back out of the hook. To fit: push the new blade's adapter into the hook until it locks, then press the flap down.
Common on: Ford Transit 2006-2014, Nissan Qashqai 2014-2026, Vauxhall Corsa 1993-2006, VW Golf up to 2002. Universal U-hook blades.
Push button
A clip on the end of the arm with a square button. Press the button and the blade releases. Common on cars and vans from the late 2000s onwards.
To remove: press the button and slide the blade off the end of the arm. To fit: slide the new blade on until it clicks.
Common on: Ford Transit 2013-2023 and Transit Custom, Ford Fiesta 2008-2023, Ford Focus 2018-2023, Vauxhall Astra 2015-2023. Universal push button blades.
Pinch tab
A clip with two tabs on its sides. Squeeze them together to release the blade. Often written as "pinch tap": it is the same fitting.
To remove: squeeze the two tabs, push the blade down towards the screen and slide it off the arm. To fit: hook the end of the arm into the new blade's recess, pull the blade up and release the tabs so they click.
Common on: Vauxhall Corsa 2006-2019, Nissan Qashqai 2007-2013, Ford Transit Connect 2013 onwards, BMW 3 Series 2012-2019. Universal pinch tab blades.
Side pin
A short round pin sticking out of the side of the arm. The blade's adapter fits over the pin and locks in place.
To remove: release the catch on the blade's adapter and pull the blade sideways off the pin. To fit: push the new blade onto the pin until the catch locks.
Common on: Ford Focus 2004-2011, VW Golf 2002-2005, Vauxhall Astra 2004-2010, Ford C-Max 2003-2010. Universal side pin blades.
SlimTop
A flat, narrow arm tip, common on VW Group cars. The blade slides onto it from the end and locks with a small tab. It looks similar to push button, but the arm tip is slimmer, so the two are not interchangeable.
To remove: press the tab on the top of the blade and slide it off the arm. To fit: slide the new blade on until it clicks.
Common on: VW Golf 2012 onwards, VW Polo 2009 onwards, Audi A1, Skoda Octavia 2013-2020. Universal SlimTop blades.
Bayonet
Used on a smaller group of cars and vans, mostly Renault and the vans built on the same platform. The blade is held by a bayonet connector on the arm.
Common on: Renault Scenic III and Grand Scenic 2009-2017, Renault Fluence 2010-2015, Vauxhall Vivaro 2019 onwards, Citroen Dispatch and Toyota Proace 2016 onwards.
Less common fittings
A few models use other connectors: top lock (Renault Clio 2019 onwards), latch (Land Rover Discovery 1998-2004, Peugeot 607) and snap claw (Audi R8). Each listing for these cars names the fitting.
How to measure your wiper blades
Measure the old blade from one end of the rubber to the other, in inches. Most cars use two different lengths at the front: the longer blade is usually on the driver's side, so measure both. Many cars also have a shorter rear blade. Match both the lengths and the fitting, and check your model year and body style, because the same model can change blades between generations.
FAQ
Can I fit a blade with a different fitting?
Only if it has the right adapter for your arm. Each WipeWave blade is supplied for the fitting named in its title, so match the fitting as well as the length.
Is pinch tab the same as pinch tap?
Yes. "Pinch tap" is a common spelling of the same fitting.
Are SlimTop and push button the same?
No. Both release with a tab or button, but the SlimTop arm tip is narrower, so a push button blade will not lock onto a SlimTop arm.
Where can I see step-by-step photos?
Our installation guide shows each step for push button, U-hook, pinch tab and SlimTop blades.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery in the UK is free on every order. Orders placed before 3pm, Monday to Friday, leave the same day and mainland addresses normally receive them the next working day. You have 30 days to return them, and we pay the return postage.