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Subaru Side Mirror Cover Repair Options

Every side mirror assembly has a cover. The cover is a housing that protects the assembly (wiring and other components) from:

Moisture
Road debris (some rocks can fly up and hit the side mirror, for example)
Other impurities (road salt, dirt, etc.)

A broken side mirror cover can no longer protect the assembly. That’s why you want to fix a broken side mirror cover as soon as possible. There are two good solutions:

Replace only the side mirror cover
Replace the entire side mirror assembly

Repairing the cracked or broken side mirror cover is another option. Yet, it’s a bad idea. Patching up the crack(s) and/or broken part(s) is a temporary solution. There’s no guarantee that the solution will work, anyway. Your best bet is to replace the cover or the assembly. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option.

The Pros And Cons Of Replacing Only The Side Mirror Cover

A replacement side mirror cover is cheaper than a replacement assembly. It can also be easier to replace. Yet, it’s not always the best option.

Most of Subaru’s OEM plastic covers are paint to match. This means that the covers come in black. You’d have to paint them to match the body of the vehicle. This can end up creating more work than most people would want to put in. Also, DIY paint may not exactly match the vehicle after a few weeks of exposure to the sun and other elements.

If you want to paint your replacement side mirror cover to match the body of the vehicle, your best bet is to have a body shop do it. They’d likely charge a small fee for the job. You can see if a Subaru dealer body shop can take care of the job for you. That way, you’ll have the peace of mind that they’re using OEM Subaru body paint that matches the color of your vehicle.

If you decide to replace the cover, you’ll need to consider the following costs:

The cost of the replacement cover. (You can save money on an OEM cover with us; skip ahead to the last section for more information.)
The cost to paint the replacement cover.
The value of your time. (It takes time to look for a quality body shop that charges reasonable prices)

When you add up these costs, you may find that replacing the entire assembly is cheaper.

The Pros And Cons Of Replacing The Entire Side Mirror Assembly

A replacement side mirror assembly costs more than a replacement cover. Yet, when you factor in other things like labor, paint, etc., an assembly replacement may turn out to be cheaper than a cover replacement.

When you order a replacement assembly, you can get one that’s painted to match your body color. All you need is your Subaru’s VIN and the OEM paint code. Replacing the entire assembly has several benefits:

A perfect factory look
Easier, more streamlined installation
The opportunity to upgrade the side mirror assembly if you want

Does The Side Mirror Assembly Still Work?

Before reaching a decision, make sure that the side mirror assembly works. If it works, you can decide between replacing only the cover or the entire assembly. If it doesn’t work, you’ll have to replace the entire assembly. Here’s how you can see if the assembly still works:

If you have manual side mirrors: With both hands, gently rock the side mirror in all directions. Next, do the same with the entire assembly. If the mirror or anything else feels loose, then the assembly may not be in good working order.
If you have power side mirrors: While sitting in the driver’s seat, move the side mirror glass in all directions with the power controls. If the assembly is in good working order, the mirror will respond appropriately.

How To Save Money On A Genuine OEM Side Mirror Cover Or Assembly

Did you know that you can skip the dealership and order genuine OEM parts online? Online prices are usually much lower than dealership prices. It’s especially true when it comes to our pricing. We offer wholesale pricing on genuine OEM Subaru parts.

To see what kind of OEM side mirror covers and assemblies are available for your Subaru, take a look at this catalog. Here are a couple of our best selling side mirror covers:

Do you need help finding the right replacement part for your Subaru model? We’ll be happy to help! You can call us, email us, or fill out this contact form.