Driving with a broken wing mirror can be extremely dangerous – not to mention illegal. You must always have two working mirrors (one of which MUST be the driver’s side mirror) to ensure your car is road legal in the UK, so you’ll need to book a wing mirror replacement near you as soon as possible if one or yours is:
- Broken or damaged, regardless of whether the glass or the housing is affected
- Missing entirely, having been knocked off in an accident or through vandalism
- Stuck in the wrong position (i.e. folded into the vehicle)
- Compromising your road awareness in any way
Failing to promptly repair a damaged mirror can have some pretty serious consequences.
Can I Drive with a Broken Wing Mirror?
If you can’t see clearly out of one of your wing mirrors, it’s impossible to know exactly what’s going on around your car, increasing your risk of an accident - after all, ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre is one of the first and most important lessons we’re taught as learner drivers.
As a result, the police can stop you and issue either a notice or 3 penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 if they deem your vehicle unsafe due to the damaged mirror(s).
With this in mind, you should always book a wing mirror replacement near you and avoid driving your vehicle wherever possible if you notice a problem – especially if the driver’s side mirror is damaged.
Does This Mean a Broken Wing Mirror will Fail My MOT Test?
Yes, any damage that means you don’t have a clear view of the rear of your car will count as a major fault and fail your next MOT test.
Examples of damage that count as a major MOT failure include:
- Cracked or broken glass that distorts or obstructs your view
- A loose or insecure mirror housing
- A missing mirror
- Any mirror that is significantly obscured - which can include air fresheners and other hanging objects if they get in the way of the rear-view mirror!
If the damage is purely cosmetic or not serious enough to stop you having a clear picture of the road behind, it may only be recorded as a minor fault or advisory. While this damage might not be enough to fail your MOT, it’s still considered dangerous enough for the technician to comment on it. We’d always recommend acting on advisories quickly to ensure your car is as safe as possible.
Ultimately, the final decision rests with the MOT tester. If they’re in any doubt about whether any of your mirrors provide a good and unobscured view to the rear of your vehicle, you may fail your next inspection.
What Wing Mirror Replacement Do I Need?
So, getting your wing mirror fixed promptly is crucial – but understanding what repair you need can be tricky.
Every wing mirror replacement differs and finding the right fix usually means understanding what the level of damage is and what type of mirrors your car uses.
If you adjust your wing mirrors using a toggle or have to wind down the window to pull them in, your vehicle uses manual wing mirrors. If either of these tasks are done for you by pushing a button, you’ll need a new electric wing mirror.
With heated and auto-dimming glass fitted to some vehicles, and some damage requiring a whole new assembly instead of just replacing the glass, it’s not always obvious exactly what your car needs – even after consulting your vehicle’s handbook.
We recommend booking an appointment at a local garage whether you know what wing mirror replacement you need or not. A skilled technician will be able to determine this for you by inspecting your vehicle and complete the right repair to give you the peace of mind you deserve about your vehicle’s roadworthiness.
Most importantly, they’ll always ensure you pay the right price for your repair.
How Much Does a Wing Mirror Replacement Cost?
On average, a full wing mirror replacement costs around £230 in the UK.
Manual wing mirror replacement may be slightly cheaper, while electric wing mirror replacement can cost upwards of £300 because parts often include additional features and so are more expensive.
If you just need to replace broken glass in your wing mirror, the cost will be much cheaper (likely somewhere between £50 and £100) and you may even be able to complete the job yourself.
As always, your make and model, chosen garage and where you live in the UK can all have an impact on how much your wing mirror replacement costs.