Wing mirrors live a hard life. They get clipped by passing cars, knocked in narrow car parks and cracked by frost, and once the glass is broken you're left squinting at a mosaic every time you change lanes.
The good news is that you rarely need to replace the whole mirror. On most cars, the glass is a separate part that clips onto a motorised backing plate, and swapping it takes about ten minutes. Here's how to tell what you need, and how to do the job yourself.
Glass only, or the whole mirror?
Start by working out what's actually damaged.
If only the glass is cracked or missing and the mirror housing is still firmly attached, you just need new glass. This is by far the cheapest repair.
If the mirror cover is scuffed or cracked but everything else is fine, many cars let you replace the cover on its own.
If the mirror hangs loose, won't fold, has stopped adjusting electrically, or the housing is broken where it meets the door, you'll probably need a complete door mirror.
Does a broken wing mirror fail an MOT?
It can. Mirrors need to be secure and give you a clear view behind, so a cracked or missing glass can lead to a fail. It's also worth fixing for safety. A broken mirror makes it much harder to judge traffic when you're changing lanes or pulling out.
Choosing the right mirror glass
Mirror glass isn't one size fits all. A few things need to match your car:
- Left or right. In the UK, the driver's side is the right-hand side.
- Heated or not. If your car has heated mirrors, the replacement glass needs heating contacts on the back, or the demister won't work.
- Flat, convex or aspheric. Many passenger side mirrors are convex to show a wider view, and some driver's side mirrors have an aspheric outer section to reduce the blind spot.
- Blind spot or auto-dimming features. If your mirror has a warning light in the glass or dims at night, you'll need glass that supports that.
The easiest way to get it right is to match the part number from your old glass, or use the OEM number for your car. If you're not sure, send us your VIN and we'll help you find the right one.
How to replace wing mirror glass
You won't need any special tools for most cars. A plastic trim tool, some gloves and a soft cloth are usually enough.
1. Protect yourself and the car
Wear gloves and eye protection if the glass is cracked. If there's broken glass still in place, cover it with tape so pieces don't fall out while you work. Put a cloth on the door below the mirror to stop scratches.
2. Tilt the glass
Push the top of the old glass inwards, towards the car, so the bottom edge tilts out. On electric mirrors, you can use the mirror adjuster to move it as far as it will go.
3. Release the clips
Gently slide a plastic trim tool behind the bottom edge of the glass and lever it outwards. The backing plate is held on by clips, and you'll feel it pop free. Work slowly and keep the pressure even. Older plastic can be brittle, especially in cold weather.
4. Disconnect the heater wires
If your mirror is heated, there will be two small wires attached to the back of the glass. Pull them off the terminals carefully and remember which way round they go.
5. Fit the new glass
Connect the heater wires to the new glass. Line the backing plate up with the motor mount behind it, then press firmly in the centre of the glass until you hear the clips lock. Press near the middle rather than on the edges, so you don't crack the new glass.
6. Test it
Check that the mirror adjusts in every direction and is secure. If it's heated, turn on the rear demister and feel whether the glass warms up after a few minutes.
What does wing mirror replacement cost?
Prices vary a lot depending on the car, the features in the mirror and who fits it. As a rule of thumb, replacement glass on its own costs far less than a complete mirror unit, and fitting it yourself saves on labour as well.
A full door mirror costs more, especially on cars with power folding, cameras, blind spot sensors or puddle lights. Fitting one usually means removing the inner door trim to reach the mounting bolts and wiring, which is a bigger job but still possible at home if you're comfortable taking panels off.
A few tips
Swapping glass is easier on a warm day, when the plastic clips are a little more flexible.
If the new glass vibrates at speed, it probably isn't fully clipped on. Press firmly in the middle again.
If the mirror doesn't move after you've replaced the glass, the motor may have been damaged in the knock that broke the glass. We stock replacement mirror motors for many models too.
You can browse our mirror glass, as well as complete door mirrors, mirror covers and motors. If you need help finding the right part, get in touch with your VIN or part number.