Here’s what to look for and what to do about it.

Common Signs of Side Mirror Damage

Damage doesn’t always mean a missing mirror. It can show up in subtle ways, such as:

• Cracks or chips in the glass

• Wobbling or loose housing

• Discoloration or fading of the reflective coating

• Malfunctioning adjustment controls

• Built-in features not working (turn signals, defrost, cameras)

Even small issues can impair your ability to see and react to traffic around you.

What Causes Side Mirror Damage?

• Accidental bumps in parking lots

• High-speed debris like rocks or gravel

• Weather exposure, especially sun damage and ice

• Vandalism or theft attempts

• Aging electronics in modern mirrors with tech integrations

Understanding the cause can help determine whether you need a full replacement or just a repair.

Repair vs. Replacement: What’s Best?

• Glass-only damage: If the housing and tech still work, you might just need a glass replacement.

• Housing issues: Wobbly or cracked mounts often require replacing the entire assembly.

• Tech failures: Mirrors with built-in sensors or cameras typically need expert diagnostics.

Professional auto glass companies like AGD can evaluate your specific mirror model and recommend the most cost-effective solution.

Don’t Ignore Side Mirror Damage

Driving with a damaged or misaligned side mirror can reduce visibility, impact your awareness of blind spots, and even result in a ticket depending on your state’s laws.

Vehicle Side Mirrors – Stay Ahead of Safety Issues

Catching side mirror damage early and getting it repaired promptly ensures your vehicle stays safe, legal, and fully functional. It’s a small fix that can make a big difference on the road.

Have you ever had one of those “really bad days”?  It always seems to happen like this… You wake up in the morning and you spill your coffee but then it gets worse.  The initial thing that happens actually can trigger your mind in a negative way to the point that bad things will continue to follow you throughout the rest of the day.

A Bad Day can consist of so many different things.  It seems like it just happens one after the next. 

Last week I spilled my coffee in the morning… and that set my brain off just as described above.  Then I was late to work and got in trouble.  Following this, I had my most valuable client cancel all of their services.  I didn’t think it could get worse until I decided to go to the bank on my lunch break.

The line inside was way too long, so I decided to hit the drive through and use the atm.  I always try to pull up to the ATM as close as possible to avoid having to take my seatbelt off or get out of the car (I guess I’m lazy), and I have gotten pretty damn good at it.  However, this time was different.

Maybe my mind was in a different place because of all of the distress the day had already caused, but as I drove up to the ATM as I usually do, with style and ease, I heard a loud noise.  In that instant, I had actually pulled up too close to the ATM and the pole hit my side mirror and broke the entire thing off, except for the wires that were hanging.  Great!! Just one more thing to deal with.

I then decided to just take the rest of the day off.  My biggest priority was getting that mirror fixed as it was hanging from my car.  I looked online and found a company called AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.  They had raving reviews and it was close to home in Tempe so I just decided to pop on in.  Luckily they had the time to fix my side mirror that day, and they did a gorgeous job. 

At the same time, here is what I learned.

If I had not gotten this fixed, and had driven around with a broken mirror, it is actually very dangerous.  A broken side mirror puts you and others at risk for an accident because you cannot properly see who is next to or behind you. Getting your side mirror fixed at a car dealership could be costly. At AGD their certified and skilled technicians will fix your side mirror quickly and effectively.  They can repair side mirrors on any make and any model of vehicle, as well as restore your side mirror to its original quality and get your safely back on the road.

So to get to the just of my story…..

If you happen to have a day like mine, and that includes the infamous side mirror breakage, call AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.  Their service and efficiency is second to none!