How long does a door mirror last?

Your vehicle is equipped with all sorts of safety features designed to make life safer and easier for you and other road users. One such safety feature is the door mirror. With this mirror, you can…

Your vehicle is equipped with all sorts of safety features designed to make life safer and easier for you and other road users. One such safety feature is the door mirror. With this mirror you will be able to see to the sides and behind your vehicle. There is a door mirror on the driver and passenger sides.

It used to be that these mirrors were simply optional, but they are now required by law in the United States. Both mirrors can be adjusted by the driver so that they are in the correct position for each person. These side mirrors can be just mirrors, or they can be heated, electrically adjustable, they can fold down when parked, and some even come with a turn signal repeater.

While there is no reason these mirrors can't last the lifetime of your vehicle, the fact is that they are prone to damage. If they have electrical components, they are even more prone to wear and tear. Think of the many things that can go wrong with these mirrors: they can shatter when parked or in an accident, they can shatter because they're glass, and as mentioned, electrical components can stop working, like the power-adjusted option. Unfortunately, when these mirrors get damaged, they need to be replaced. Repair is not an option.

Here are a few ways to determine if your exterior mirror has reached its useful life:

• The exterior mirror was torn or chipped from the vehicle.

• There is a crack in the mirror. It can also cause part of the glass to break completely.

• The mirror is severely scratched or chipped, resulting in image distortion.

• You can't move or adjust the mirror, so you can't use it for its intended purpose - for safety purposes.

When it comes to a door mirror that has reached the end of its life, you need to replace it immediately. Driving without a functioning outside rearview mirror is a safety hazard and is also illegal. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and suspect that your exterior mirror needs to be replaced, have a diagnosis or have a professional mechanic replace your exterior mirror.