Should I Replace Just My Wing Mirror Cover or the Whole Wing Mirror Unit?

It’s happened — someone’s clipped your mirror, or maybe you’ve caught it reversing out of a tight spot. The painted cover is scratched, the glass is cracked… now you’re stuck wondering if you should replace the entire wing mirror or buy pieces individually, such as your wing mirror glass, mirror indicator lens or just the wing mirror cover cap.

You're not alone — this is one of the most common questions we get asked. So, here’s a breakdown of when it’s okay to replace just the outer cover, and when it makes more sense to swap the whole thing.

✅ When a New Wing Mirror Cover Is All You Need

The mirror cover is the painted outer shell that usually takes the brunt of any bumps or scrapes. If:

• The glass is not broken

• The wing mirror still adjusts or folds as it should

• There are no cracks in the actual housing that holds your wing mirror cover in place

• There is no other external damage to the wing mirror itself

Then replacing the mirror cover cap only is a quick, affordable fix. You can get a colour-matched painted cover (like the ones we supply), clip it on, and you're good to go.

This is the best option if it’s just cosmetic damage and everything else works as it should.

 

❌ When It's Time to Replace the Whole Wing Mirror Unit

There are times when fixing the cover just isn’t enough — and trying to repair multiple parts one-by-one can be more trouble than it’s worth.

Here’s when you might want to just go for a complete wing mirror unit instead:

1. The Mirror Housing is Cracked
If the main body of the mirror (the black plastic housing) is damaged, loose, or wobbling — that’s a structural issue. A new cover won’t fix it, and the mirror might not sit properly while driving.

2. The Glass is Broken
Sure, you can replace the mirror glass on its own — but if the glass is cracked, missing, or even foggy around the edges, and the cover is also damaged, you may save time and money by replacing the whole thing.

3. Electrical Parts Have Stopped Working
If any electrical elements stop working, such as your power-folding function, or your wing mirror glass is not heating or moving as it should, it means that the wiring or motor is damaged. In cases like this, it’s often cheaper (and far less hassle) to replace the whole mirror than try to fix it piece by piece.

4. Multiple Parts Are Broken
Let’s say the cover is scratched, the glass is cracked, and the indicator’s hanging off. You could:

• Buy a new cover

• Buy new glass

• Buy a new indicator

• Spend your weekend trying to fit each piece

...Or you could buy a complete mirror unit that’s ready to go. Sometimes it’s even cheaper that way — especially with quality aftermarket parts.

If, however, only your wing mirror cover & indicator is damaged, this can be a cheaper alternative to replace just those two elements.
Please contact us if you require a wing mirror indicator and we’ll endeavour to find a replacement for you!

 

💡 Wait… A Whole Mirror Can Be Cheaper or Cost the Same?

Surprisingly, yes!

Here’s an example displaying a similar cost:
Say you drive a VW Polo 9R 2009–2016 model. You’ve damaged:

• The mirror glass (£20)

• The painted cover (£40)

• The indicator (£20)

• That’s approximately £80 in parts… and then your time.

Meanwhile, a full aftermarket mirror (with all of that included) would cost £77.95, readily assembled, painted, and ready to fit straight away!

Another example:
Say you drive a Ford Fiesta MK7 2008–2012 model. You’ve damaged:

• The mirror glass (£10)

• The painted cover (£30)

• The indicator (£10)

• That’s approximately £50 in parts… and then your time.

Meanwhile, a full aftermarket mirror (with all of that included) would cost £49.95, readily assembled, painted, and ready to fit straight away!

In Summary

If you are looking to save time and money, replacing a complete wing mirror unit can be a smart move by buying painted mirrors from us here at Online Painted Parts.

If, however, you’ve only damaged a couple of pieces, such as the wing mirror cover and/or indicator, it may be worthwhile to source these pieces separately to save your pocket!