How Much Does It Cost to Replace the Entire Side Mirror?

Replacing a full side mirror assembly typically costs between $150 and $500 per mirror for most modern cars, including parts and labor, though prices can climb to $800 or more for luxury models or mirrors packed with advanced technology. This article breaks down what drives those costs, how estimates differ by vehicle type and features, and what options you have to save money without compromising safety.

What You’re Really Paying For

When people ask about the cost of “replacing a side mirror,” they’re usually referring to swapping out the entire mirror assembly: the housing, glass, and built‑in electronics. The final bill depends on whether you choose OEM or aftermarket parts, what features are built into your mirror, and where you have the work done.

Typical Price Ranges

For most mainstream vehicles in North America and much of Europe, current shop estimates fall into several broad ranges based on vehicle and mirror type.

• Basic manual mirrors: About $70–$200 parts + labor (older or economy cars, no power adjustment or heating).
• Standard power mirrors (common on modern cars): About $150–$350 installed.
• Heated and power mirrors: Roughly $200–$400 installed.
• Mirrors with blind-spot monitoring, turn signals, or memory: Often $250–$600 installed.
• Luxury or high-tech mirrors (cameras, auto-dim, integrated sensors): Commonly $400–$800+ installed.

These ranges reflect typical independent-shop and dealership quotes as of late 2024, but actual numbers vary by region, vehicle brand, and parts availability.

Cost Breakdown: Parts vs. Labor

The total cost of side mirror replacement is essentially the sum of two components: the price of the mirror assembly itself and the labor to remove the old one and install the new unit.

Parts Costs

Mirror assemblies can vary dramatically in price depending on how complex they are and whether they’re original equipment or aftermarket replacements.

• Aftermarket basic mirror assemblies: Typically $40–$120.
• Aftermarket heated/power mirrors: About $80–$200.
• OEM (dealer) standard mirrors: Usually $150–$350.
• OEM mirrors with blind‑spot sensors, memory, cameras, or auto‑dim: Commonly $300–$600+ for the unit alone.
• Painted mirrors (color‑matched to the car): Add roughly $50–$200 if painting is needed.

In general, OEM mirrors cost more but are guaranteed to match the vehicle’s original specifications and integrate smoothly with factory electronics, which can matter for advanced driver-assistance systems.

Labor Costs

Labor makes up the rest of the bill and depends on how complicated it is to access and connect the mirror on your particular car.

• Labor time: Commonly 0.5–1.5 hours per mirror for most cars.
• Labor rates: Roughly $80–$180 per hour, depending on region and shop type.
• Total labor cost: Often in the range of $60–$250 per mirror.
• Extra cost for systems programming or calibration: Some lane‑departure, surround‑view, or blind‑spot systems may add $50–$200 for diagnostic time or calibration if required.

Basic manual or simple power mirrors on common sedans are usually at the low end of these labor costs, while luxury SUVs with complex door panels and advanced electronics may push toward the upper end.

How Features Change the Price

Modern side mirrors often do much more than reflect traffic. Added technology improves safety and comfort but also increases both parts and installation costs.

Common Features That Increase Cost

These features are the main reasons one mirror can cost significantly more than another, even on the same vehicle model.

• Power adjustment: Requires electric motors and wiring; slightly higher parts cost but still relatively affordable.
• Heated mirrors: Contain heating elements and connections; adds modest cost but is now common in colder climates.
• Integrated turn signals: LED lights and additional wiring increase part complexity and price.
• Blind-spot monitoring indicators: Sensors may be in the mirror or integrated in related systems; mirrors often have special housings and electronics.
• Memory function: Mirrors “remember” driver positions; tied into seat and steering adjustments, needs compatible electronics.
• Auto-dimming glass: Electrochromic glass with sensors costs substantially more than standard glass.
• Camera-based or 360° view systems: Mirrors with built‑in cameras are among the most expensive to replace.

Each additional feature typically adds a layer of cost and sometimes complexity for programming or calibration, especially on newer vehicles with sophisticated driver-assistance packages.

Differences by Vehicle Type and Brand

The make and model of your car may be the single biggest factor in how much you’ll pay for a new side mirror, beyond the features themselves.

Economy and Mainstream Brands

Cars from brands like Toyota, Honda, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and similar manufacturers generally fall into moderate price brackets.

• Common compact sedans and hatchbacks: About $150–$300 per mirror installed with power and heat.
• Mid-range SUVs: Often $200–$400 per mirror with features like heating and turn signals.
• Availability of aftermarket options: Good selection of lower-cost mirrors helps keep prices down.

These vehicles benefit from high parts availability, which tends to reduce both parts and wait times for replacement.

Luxury Brands and High-Tech Models

Premium brands and models with advanced driver-assistance systems usually carry significantly higher mirror replacement costs.

• Luxury sedans and SUVs (e.g., BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus): Mirrors commonly run $400–$800+ installed.
• High-end trims with cameras, auto-dimming, and blind-spot indicators: More likely to require OEM parts, pushing costs higher.
• Electric vehicles and high-tech models: Some EVs and flagship models integrate cameras and complex heating/sensor packages, raising both parts and calibration costs.

With these vehicles, it’s not unusual for one mirror to cost more than a full set of four tires on an economy car, especially when dealer-only parts and specialized labor are involved.

OEM vs. Aftermarket: Which Is Cheaper and When?

Most owners can choose between OEM (original equipment manufacturer) mirrors and aftermarket alternatives, and this decision often shapes the overall bill as much as the labor rate.

OEM Mirrors

OEM mirrors are made or branded by the vehicle manufacturer and match the original design exactly.

• Advantages: Perfect fitment, consistent quality, full compatibility with electronics and safety systems, and no guesswork for the shop.
• Disadvantages: Typically 30–70% more expensive than equivalent aftermarket parts, sometimes significantly more for advanced mirrors.
• Best for: Newer vehicles, cars under factory warranty, high-tech or safety-critical mirrors, and owners prioritizing original-spec replacement.

Dealers will almost always quote OEM mirrors by default, leading to higher total cost but fewer integration concerns.

Aftermarket Mirrors

Aftermarket parts are built by third-party manufacturers to fit a range of vehicle models.

• Advantages: Lower cost, wider price options, often reasonable quality for basic features.
• Disadvantages: Fit and finish may differ slightly; advanced features may not match OEM performance or may be unavailable.
• Best for: Older vehicles, budget repairs, cars where cosmetic perfection and exact OEM features are less critical.

Independent body shops and online parts retailers typically offer a broader range of aftermarket options, which can substantially reduce the final bill, especially on older or out-of-warranty vehicles.

DIY vs. Professional Replacement

Whether you can replace a side mirror yourself depends on your comfort level with tools, your specific vehicle, and the features built into the mirror.

When DIY Can Save Money

For relatively simple mirror setups, do-it-yourself replacement is a realistic way to keep costs low.

• Savings potential: You may pay only for the part, often $40–$200, avoiding $80–$250 in labor.
• Tools required: Commonly a screwdriver set, trim removal tools, and optionally a socket set.
• Difficulty: Straightforward on many older cars or basic power mirrors where you only remove an interior trim panel and unplug a connector.

DIY can be especially attractive for cosmetic repairs on older vehicles that don’t rely heavily on integrated safety electronics.

When Professional Installation Is Wiser

On modern cars, particularly those loaded with driver-assistance technology, paying a professional can prevent electrical problems or safety issues.

• Complex electronics: Mirrors that tie into blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, or 360° cameras may need specialized knowledge to install correctly.
• Risk of damage: Incorrect disassembly can crack interior panels or damage wiring harnesses, adding unexpected repair costs.
• Warranty considerations: Professional installation may be required to preserve certain warranties or insurance guarantees.

In many cases, especially with luxury or recent-model vehicles, the added cost of professional labor is justified by the reduced risk and the assurance that all systems function as intended.

Insurance, Coverage, and Out-of-Pocket Costs

Insurance can significantly change what you personally pay for a side mirror replacement, depending on how the damage occurred and your policy details.

When Insurance Typically Helps

Many drivers first learn about mirror replacement costs after a parking lot scrape, hit-and-run, or minor crash.

• Comprehensive coverage: May cover vandalism, hit-and-run incidents, and non-collision damage (after you pay the deductible).
• Collision coverage: Applies if the mirror was damaged in an accident where your car hit another object or vehicle.
• Other driver at fault: Their liability insurance may pay for the repair if the incident is reported and accepted.

Whether it’s worth filing a claim depends largely on your deductible and the total repair cost.

When You Might Pay Yourself

Even when coverage is available, some drivers choose to pay out of pocket to avoid a claim or because the deductible is high.

• High deductible scenarios: If your deductible is $500 and the mirror costs $350, insurance won’t pay anything.
• Minor single-vehicle damage: Some owners skip claims on low-cost repairs to avoid potential premium increases.
• Older vehicles: Owners may prefer inexpensive aftermarket mirrors and DIY work rather than going through insurance.

Before deciding, it’s often wise to get at least one repair estimate so you can directly compare costs to your deductible and potential insurance impact.

How to Get an Accurate Estimate

Because the real price can vary widely, the most reliable way to know what you’ll pay is to obtain quotes based on your exact vehicle and mirror features.

Information You Should Have Ready

Providing detailed information to a shop or parts supplier helps ensure they quote the right mirror the first time.

• Vehicle details: Year, make, model, trim level, and sometimes the VIN (vehicle identification number).
• Mirror features: Whether your mirror is powered, heated, folding, has turn signals, blind‑spot indicators, memory, or auto-dimming glass.
• Side and color: Left or right, and whether the mirror needs to be color‑matched or comes in textured black.

Clear, complete information reduces the risk of ordering the wrong part, which can delay repairs and increase costs.

Comparing Different Repair Options

Prices for the same job can vary considerably between dealerships, independent shops, and mobile or glass-specific services.

• Dealerships: Usually highest cost, OEM parts only, strong familiarity with your vehicle brand.
• Independent body or mechanic shops: Often lower labor rates and more flexibility on OEM vs. aftermarket parts.
• Mobile mirror/glass services: Can be competitive, especially for simpler replacements done at your home or workplace.

Obtaining two or three quotes—specifying whether you’re open to aftermarket parts—typically reveals a realistic cost range for your particular situation.

Summary

Replacing an entire side mirror assembly usually costs between $150 and $500 per mirror for most modern vehicles, with simpler mirrors on economy cars landing near the low end and high-tech or luxury mirrors frequently reaching $400–$800+. The final price hinges on the mirror’s features, whether you choose OEM or aftermarket parts, local labor rates, and any need for programming or calibration. DIY replacement can markedly reduce costs for straightforward mirrors, while complex, sensor-integrated units are best left to professionals. To know what you’ll actually pay, gather your vehicle details, confirm all mirror features, and compare quotes from at least one dealership and one or two independent shops before deciding whether to involve insurance or handle the repair out of pocket.