How to replace a wing mirror cap
Safety first: wear gloves and eye protection around cracked glass, and check your vehicle handbook before taking anything apart. If your car has airbags, sensors or cameras near the door and you are not confident, use a qualified fitter.
The cap is the outer plastic cover on the back of the mirror. It often gets scraped or broken in car parks, and replacing it on its own can be much cheaper than a whole unit.
Before you start
- Confirm the side: caps are specific to the left or right. See wing side mirror.
- Check the finish: caps are often supplied in primer or in a colour. If you want a colour match, you will need your car's paint code.
- Check your car's setup: some caps clip on, while others also use screws or sit around an indicator or camera.
What you will need
- New cap for the correct side
- Plastic trim tool
- Gloves
- Small screwdriver, if your cap uses screws
General steps
- Find out how your cap is held. On many cars it is held by clips around the edge.
- If your mirror has an indicator or other wiring in the cap, find the connector before pulling anything.
- Release the clips gently with a trim tool, working around the edge.
- Disconnect any indicator or puddle light wiring.
- Reconnect the wiring to the new cap, if needed.
- Line the new cap up and press it on until the clips click in.
- Check that the mirror still adjusts and folds freely.
If you want it painted
Have the cap painted to your car's colour code before fitting. A body shop can match the finish, and paint should be fully dry before you fit the cap.
Methods differ between makes and models, so follow your handbook. If it looks complex or your mirror has cameras or sensors, use a fitter. Our main replacement guide covers glass and full units.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace just the cap on my wing mirror?
Often yes, if the rest of the mirror is undamaged. Check that a cap is available for your model, side and year.
Do I need to paint a new mirror cap?
Many caps come in primer and need painting. Some are available in colour or black. Check what you are buying.
Need help finding the right mirror?
Send us your registration number, which side (driver or passenger) and a photo of the back of the mirror, and we will point you to the correct part.