Pin and compressed air into the washers, unless the whole system doesn't work then no point it being there. Been failed on that before, its there so it has to work. The fact you have got through before is more good luck rather than a change in the rules.
As for the exhaust, they are getting tighter and tighter on that. Only because people are dicks and run around with super loud exhausts. Partners car used to never get a mention, now each time they moan more and more about it. Just the way things are going sadly. Thank people that think putting fart cannons on their cars and driving around like idiots for that.
I stopped going to a WOF place as they failed partners car on a small part of a sticker being just outside of the 100mm outside edge of the window. (bottom corner rear screen, so hardly an issue). Was almost on first name basis with them too due to taking so many cars there a year. Told em not to send me any more reminders as they just lost a customer over a sticker. It had been there for years Yes its a fail, but we are talking 10mm over the 100mm zone...