- Side mirror cover replacement cost ranges from $45 to $500, depending on the car model and side mirror cover materials (Source)
- Remember, the price doesn’t include the labor costs, depending on where you take your car for the side mirror cover replacement.
- Some side mirror covers are made of plastic, rubber, or metal. Replacement costs for these car parts will depend on the damage.
- Replacement costs for materials with high labor rates may cost you more, so check first if your car’s side mirror cover is made of more expensive materials.
- If you’re looking for a cheaper option, some car owners choose to replace just the mirror cover’s adhesive and not the entire side mirror cover.
- This will save you some money, but it won’t last as long as a complete replacement.
- So, if you’re looking for a long-term solution, it’s best to go for a complete replacement.
Cost factors
The side mirror cover replacement cost can vary depending on the car model, the material used for the cover, and the labor time required for installation. In some cases, other necessary parts may also be required and add to the final cost.
Replacement part cost
The material used for the side mirror cover replacement will dictate how much it will cost you. The most common material used for side mirror covers is plastic. Plastic covers tend to be less expensive than those made from other materials, such as metal or leather.
Chrome covers are often more expensive than those made from other materials due to the cost of chroming. Covers painted to match the car’s color will be the most costly, requiring additional labor time and material.
However, the cost of a replacement plastic cover can still vary depending on the make and model of the car.
For example, a Toyota Prado side mirror cover won’t cost the same as an Audi A8 side mirror cover. Larger cars, such as four-wheel-drive vehicles (4WD) and SUVs, tend to be more expensive than smaller ones like sedans.
Replacement part cost can also vary within the same car model depending on the vehicle’s year of manufacture. The price is usually higher for later models because they require better materials which are more expensive; earlier models may only need cheaper material replaced, which decreases their replacement cost.
Labor time for installation
The labor time required for installation will vary depending on the type of material used for covering the side mirror assembly, whether or not other necessary parts are needed, and if any adjustments need to be made during installation.
The labor time required for a replacement plastic cover is usually the shortest, at around 20 minutes to half an hour.
However, it may take two hours or more if other necessary internal parts, such as the mirror’s power regulator, need to be replaced to complete the installation of the new cover.
In this case, one or more internal components may be removed from inside the car, and only then can the exterior unit that covers them be accessed from outside.
Replacing a metal side mirror cover may take longer because screws must be unscrewed before they can remove the whole assembly from its position on the car bodywork so that another accessory could replace it.
The cost of any other necessary parts
If a new side mirror cover needs to be purchased, there may also be a cost for the necessary parts that come with it.
Mirror glass is usually not included in a replacement cover package, so the cost will have to be taken into consideration if the glass is damaged or needs to be replaced.
When replacing a plastic mirror cover, labor is usually shorter and less expensive than when other materials are used. However, since the cover is generally one piece that attaches directly onto the mirror housing, there is usually no need for additional replacement parts like screws, gaskets, or sealants.
Replacing a metal side mirror cover may require purchasing screws or bolts from a hardware store, as well as other gaskets or sealants that are not commonly found in a hardware store.
Suppose the entire side mirror assembly needs to be replaced. In that case, the labor time and cost for installation will be significantly more, as it is a more complicated and time-consuming process.
In this case, the technician would have to remove parts from inside the car to access the exterior mirror cover and then put everything back together once the new cover is installed.
Benefits of a Full Side Mirror Replacement
There are several benefits to having a full-size mirror replacement done instead of just replacing the cover.
- A complete replacement will ensure that all components of the mirror assembly are in good working condition and that no leaking or moisture is getting inside.
- If the mirror glass is damaged, a new one can be installed along with the new cover.
- Replacing only the cover without replacing other parts may lead to further damage in the future, as the old screws or bolts may become loose and cause the cover to fall off.
- It’s also vital to replace gaskets and sealants when they start to wear out to keep water and moisture from entering the car. Failing to replace these parts will lead to rusting the metal frame and eventually cause it to corrode.
Conclusion
The side mirror cover replacement cost can vary depending on several factors, including the type of material used for the cover, the size and make of the car, and whether or not other necessary parts need to be replaced at the same time.
In most cases, a plastic cover will be the least expensive and easiest to install, while a metal cover will be more expensive and take longer to install.
It is essential to consider all of these factors when deciding whether or not to replace a side mirror cover. Luckily, it’s not as expensive as the price to install butterfly doors!
Hi, my name’s David. I started this pricing blog as a side project to help people figure out the best prices on common services. Whether you’re trying to figure out how much it costs to get scanning done at Staples or the expense to bleach short hair, more than likely I’ve blogged about it. Shoot me an email if you have any questions: david@mightyprice.com.