How much does it cost to replace a wing mirror?
According to our research, a wing mirror replacement cost in the UK ranges between £160 to £346 per wing mirror. The average cost is usually around £270 including parts and labour.
The cost of a wing mirror replacement depends on your car and whether only part or the whole wing mirror needs to be fixed. The cost of the replacement will also depend on where in the UK you’re based and who the work is carried out by.
As with many other car components, over the years wing mirrors have developed from a rather simple solution and design into something much more complex and, annoyingly, more expensive to fix.
Can I carry out a wing mirror replacement myself?
Given the amount of electrical componentry inside a modern wing mirror, this can be a complicated job that’s often best left to an expert.
If you’re a pretty handy DIY mechanic, however, and have the car’s manual or a good YouTube video to guide you, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge to buy and replace one yourself.
If you do decide to carry out a wing mirror replacement at home, you’ll need to ensure that it can be adjusted to provide a good view of the rear of your car.
What additional factors could affect a wing mirror replacement?
Usually, the cost of replacing a wing mirror is down to the make and model, who you choose to do the work and where in the country you’re based, yet there are a few extra circumstances that could affect the price.
For example, electric wing mirrors can cause more complex issues and can be more complicated to repair or replace. They have various electrical components that can fail and will need to be rewired if you require a replacement wing mirror. As with any other safety component in your car, you should ensure that both your wing mirrors remain in good working order and intact at all times.
What are the costs of wing mirror replacement parts?
Prices for a new wing mirror vary for each make and model. The price of a wing mirror from Eurocarparts varies between £54 up to £130 for a mid-range car.
Remember that the price for parts only constitutes part of the overall repair cost. The cost of the parts must be combined with the costs of labour, which each mechanic or garage will set themselves.
What are the labour rates for a wing mirror replacement?
A wing mirror repair cost can vary across the country according to the garage or dealership’s size, location, types of service they offer, and the local demand. We conducted research to work out the average hourly rate for a wing mirror replacement, to keep things as simple as possible for our customers.
We found that for garages within the London area the average rate came out at £78 per hour. For the garages throughout the rest of the country, the price was a little lower, as you’d expect, at £72 per hour.
How long does a wing mirror repair take?
We found the average wing mirror replacement job can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour per wing mirror.
Over the years wing mirrors have become more sophisticated with many now including a range of handy features, such as electronic, remote adjustment, a mirror glass electric heater and electrochromic dimming. Whilst these features are all very useful, it does mean that wing mirrors do take longer to fix nowadays.
Can I drive with a broken or missing wing mirror?
According to UK law, all cars must have at least two mirrors that offer an adequate view of the rear of the car, one of which must be the driver’s side wing mirror. So if you’re unlucky enough to damage or lose a wing mirror it’s important that you get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
When should a wing mirror be replaced?
Over time, components in the wing mirror might seize, the mirror may shatter or the wing mirror may fall off in an accident. As soon as a wing mirror breaks, particularly if it’s on the driver’s side, it’s important to have it inspected and repaired quickly. Wing mirrors are an important safety feature so should be kept in good condition at all times. Remember, whenever you’re on the roads you must have at least two functioning mirrors that offer an adequate view of the rear of the car.
What are the signs of a bad wing mirror?
Below are some signs that you may need to replace your wing mirror:
- If your wing mirror is damaged and no longer provides an adequate view of the rear of your car.
- If your electric wing mirror no longer moves or is stuck in one position.
- If your driver’s side wing mirror is missing, legally you must have it replaced.
What happens during a wing mirror replacement?
Our certified mechanics will:
- Inspect the damaged wing mirror by removing the casing or panels.
- Test the electrical systems, if the wing mirror is electric.
- If necessary, they will replace the mirror unit, the mirror glass or both. If there is a fault in the electrics they may fit a completely new wing mirror.
- Test if the mirror moves properly and ensure it provides a view of the car’s rear.
How can I carry out a wing mirror repair?
Most wing mirrors are designed to snap back into place if they hit something at low speeds. However, sadly we all know it’s a common case to leave your car parked and come back to find your wing mirrors damaged. They’re the most likely car part to get hit by passing traffic or bad parking offenders.
If you have experience with DIY car repairs then you can replace your broken wing mirror:
- Remove the wing mirror trim panel. You may need a door panel removal tool to pop it off.
- Remove decorative vanity caps from the screws with the hooked pick, then remove the screws.
- Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to undo any snaps or clips.
- Remove the old, broken wing mirror and fit the new one.
- Remove the internal door panel, locate and connect the electrical connector and test the mirror. Then reassemble the door panel, reinstalling it in the reverse order that it was removed.
Your wing mirrors and the law
If you choose to ignore a damaged wing mirror or tape it back in place with the broken glass still in place, you could be heading for a fine.
Driving with a cracked or missing wing mirror is a safety risk and against the law. On top of that, it will fail an MOT. It’s better to take care of this repair straight away and avoid any unnecessary headaches.
About Fixter
Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 towns and cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.