Wing Mirror replacement & repair done differently

What does a Wing Mirror do?

The wing mirrors on a car serve to enhance the vision around the car and enable the driver to see what is behind. On some cars the mirrors are mounted on the wings, on some, they are mounted on the doors.

When should you consider a Wing Mirror replacement?

If you are unlucky the wing mirrors can get damaged. Either the mirror glass or the casing can break or get scratched. The glass mirrors itself are generally straight-forward to replace. In some cases, the mirror unit might be damaged beyond repair and would have to be replaced completely.

Electric mirror units can suffer more complicate issues seeing that they will have various electrical components that can fail. Components inside might seize, with the result that the wing mirror cannot move.

Seeing that the wing mirrors are important (and mandatory) tools to improve vision and safety around the car it is advisable to make sure the wing mirrors are all in good condition. If the mirrors are damaged they should be inspected and replaced timely and professionally.

What happens during a Wing Mirror replacement?

• Mechanic will inspect the damaged wing mirror by removing the appropriate panels.
• In the case of an electric wing mirror the mechanic will also test the electrical systems.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the mirror unit or the mirror glass.
• Mechanic will re-mount mirror panels.
• Mechanic will test if the mirror moves properly.

What happens if I don’t replace a damaged Wing Mirror?

Having a working wing mirror on both the driver’s and passenger’s door has been a legal requirement since 2010, so you’re risking a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points added to your license. This is a clear example when putting off getting your car fixed with a straightforward repair could easily cost you more than actually getting the work done.

When you are missing a wing mirror or the view is obstructed by a crack, you suddenly realise what a big blind spot this leaves you in your all-around vision from the driver’s seat. Having a missing or broken wing mirror makes it much harder to keep up with what is happening behind you, and potential hazards approaching you from the back - a fast-moving motorbike, for example.

For safety’s sake, you shouldn’t delay getting your wing mirror repaired when you know it’s needed.

Can I do a Wing Mirror replacement myself?

These days, the wing mirrors on nearly every car aren’t stand-alone, manually-adjustable pieces of equipment, but are instead adjusted electrically, wing mirror replacement isn’t an easy, pull-off, snap back on matter.

Fitting a new wing mirror doesn’t just involve replacing the mirror and its casing. The moving mirror also needs to be connected to the electrical adjustment mechanism. So it isn’t just a mechanical job - it needs some electrical know-how as well.

How common is a Wing Mirror replacement?

Sadly, replacing a wing mirror is more common than you might think – especially as modern cars have grown wider and longer, thanks mainly to all the modern safety features they have built-in.

Lots more drivers have had a minor scrape in a car park, which resulted in a damaged wing mirror which had to be repaired.

Are there any differences between the Wing Mirrors used in old and new vehicles?

Modern car wing mirrors have become much more sophisticated in just a few years.

The first new wing mirrors which could be adjusted from inside the car used a simple mechanical lever - which saved a lot of drivers from getting cold and wet carrying out this simple procedure!

Now though, most mirrors themselves can be adjusted, and the whole assembly even folded in completely, simply using a switch which is often right by those to operate a car’s electric windows.

It does mean, though, that the simple wing mirror replacement of the past is no longer possible, and the job requires some specialist knowledge.

How to extend the lifetime of your Wing Mirrors

Having your wing mirrors properly adjusted, so that you can see clearly through your them and down both sides of your car could save you the need for a possible repair.
They should be checked occasionally while you are sat stationary in the driver’s seat, by checking that you can see as far down the sides of your car as possible.

If your mirrors fold in automatically when you park your car, that will help protect them from accidental knocks. But if not, folding them in manually when your car is parked will make them less visible to vandals.

How much does a Wing Mirror Replacement cost?

The cost of replacing a wing mirror depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having the wing mirror replaced by ClickMechanic, by selecting your car at the top of this page!