If you often park anything larger than a small car on narrow UK streets, replacing wing mirrors can become a frequent and costly hassle.

As cars continue to grow in size and feature more advanced technology, this issue is becoming increasingly common and expensive. 

So, how much will a replacement cost? This depends on several factors, including the age and make of your car and where you’re located in the UK. In this article, we’ll look at how much it costs to replace a wing mirror and the average prices for popular car models. 

How much does it cost to replace a wing mirror?

The average wing mirror replacement cost in the UK is £220. This is per wing mirror, so two will set you back £440.

Cars on the lower end should expect a price starting from £130, whereas more expensive models (e.g., Range Rovers, Mercedes and BMW) may have to pay as much as £300 per mirror.

If your car is a little older, and parts are easy to get, it could be as low as £85. 

Wing mirror replacement costs by car make

For an accurate estimate, it’s helpful to look at wing mirror replacement costs for your car make. Here’s an overview of popular UK car brands and costs per each wing mirror:

How much does it cost to replace an electric wing mirror? 

The average UK electric wing mirror cost is £255.

If your car has blind spot detection or lane-keeping sensors, a replacement could cost up to £350, especially if the sensor is damaged. 

Basic mirrors without electronic features are cheaper, while modern ones with motors and heaters are more expensive due to fitting costs and potential software updates.

Here are the typical electric wing mirror costs by brand:

How long does it take to replace your wing mirror?

Wing mirror replacement times range from 1-3 days. 

Waiting for the part to arrive usually takes longer than the repair itself unless the mirror is particularly complex or has damaged fixings.

Since wing mirrors are commonly damaged, replacement parts are widely available. For brands like Ford and Vauxhall, you can even buy colour-coded covers directly from their websites.

Is it illegal to drive without a wing mirror?

UK law requires vehicles to have two functioning, properly adjusted mirrors, including the interior rear-view mirror.

This makes it legal to drive with only one wing mirror. However, for vehicles without a rear-view mirror, like vans, driving with one wing mirror is illegal.

Additionally, if a damaged mirror exposes sharp edges, it could be deemed Dangerous and Defective under section 40a of the Road Traffic Act, making it illegal to drive.

Signs your wing mirror needs a replacement

A clean break isn’t the only time you’ll need a new wing mirror. Here are some other signs you need a replacement:

• Cracks or breaks in the mirror
• A wobbly mirror that moves
• Mirror adjustment function not working
• Missing or damaged mirror mount
• Any visibility problems in the mirror

Will a car fail an MOT if the wing mirror is broken? 

A missing driver's side mirror is a Major MOT fault and will result in a failure. 

If the passenger side mirror is damaged or missing, it may only receive an advisory, provided the car has two other mirrors. 

However, if the damage creates a hazard, it may still be deemed unsafe by the MOT tester.

What happens in a wing mirror replacement?

During a mirror replacement, the mechanic will remove the broken wing mirror and, if necessary, the mirror mount. They will then disconnect any required electrical connections.

After installing the new mirror, the mechanic will test all of its functions to ensure everything is working correctly.

Can I replace a wing mirror myself? 

With labour costs at garages approaching £70 per hour, small repairs can soon get expensive. 

It may well be possible to change your wing mirror at home, provided you have the right tools and knowledge. 

If you have a decent toolkit and the right parts, the job should take about an hour, and sourcing parts is usually straightforward.

Tools you might need to repair a wing mirror include:

• Torx screwdrivers/bits – Many European cars use these instead of standard bolts.
• Trim tools – Essential for prying apart plastic trim without damage.
• Diagnostics/programming software – Needed for re-coding new electronic parts like mirror adjusters or lane warning lights to the car's ECU.

Can I just replace the wing mirror glass?

Yes, professional wing mirror glass replacement costs are usually around £12 per mirror.

If only the wing mirror glass is broken, you can usually replace just the glass without taking the whole mirror apart or buying an expensive new one.

Wing mirrors consist of several parts, but the glass is typically held in place with plastic tabs or adhesive. If just the glass is broken, you can usually find affordable replacement parts online.

Extra factors to consider when replacing wing mirror glass:

• Be cautious of sharp edges—always use proper PPE.
• Remove old glass gently, as it may be unclipped by turning or glued, and using the wrong technique could damage the adjustment mechanism.
• Make sure your replacement materials meet the legal road requirements. 

Common causes of electric wing mirror faults

When a standard wing mirror breaks, it’s usually quite clear what caused it. However, electric wing mirrors may require more investigation.

Typical causes of electric wing mirror issues include:

• Blown fuses
• Faulty wiring
• ECU issues
• A malfunctioning switch

Final thoughts - Take it to an expert

You shouldn’t perform repair work on your vehicle unless you know exactly what you’re doing. 

Wing mirror replacement costs don’t have to be a burden in your budget, especially if you have Bumper by your side. 

Choose from 1000s of Bumper’s trusted partners to fix your vehicle and split your bill into interest-free monthly payments.