Car Door Replacement: Cost, What to Consider, and Door Type Guide

Whether you’re changing your car door because the old one is damaged or outdated, it pays to know how to get the best replacement. After all, it’s a hefty investment, so you’d want to get more bang for your buck.

Learn how much a car door replacement can set you back and what to consider when choosing a new car door to get the best value for your money.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Car Door?

The cost of replacing a car door ranges from $500 to $3,000. It depends on the price of the car door shell, which typically runs between $150 and $950, and the labor fee of the auto shop doing the replacement.

What to Consider When Choosing a Car Door Replacement

Don’t base your choice solely on looks to avoid issues down the line. Consider the following factors to choose the best replacement car door for your ride:

Compatibility

Different car doors have unique functions regarding how they open, lock, and use proximity alarms. Make sure you pick one that’s compatible with your vehicle’s electrical features.

Incompatible car doors can result in feature malfunctions or cause the system to short-circuit. So narrow your options to those designed specifically for your vehicle’s year, make, and model.

Material

Most car doors are made from steel or aluminum. Both have pros and cons, so choose a door with the material that suits your needs.

Steel is heavier than aluminum, but it’s more affordable. On the other hand, aluminum is lighter, making the vehicle easier to maneuver and reducing its fuel consumption.

Cost

The cost of car doors varies depending on several factors, like their type, material, style, and features. Choose one that caters to your needs and fits your budget. For high-quality replacement car doors that won’t break the bank, consider buying from aftermarket brands.

Warranty

An excellent warranty means the manufacturer is confident of its product’s durability and performance. So avoid replacement car doors that have no or poor coverage. Compare the warranty offers of your options and consider the ones that offer the best coverage.

Style

Determine how potential car door replacements will look on your ride. Will they complement its design or look out of place? Consider different styles and types, and go for car doors that upgrade your vehicle’s design.

Types of Car Doors

While your vehicle’s door type limits your options, it still pays to get to know the other types.

Conventional Door

Conventional doors open outward from the car body. They’re the safest type because they’re less likely to unlock while driving.

Sliding Door

These doors slide on a horizontal track to open or close, providing easy entry and exit even in narrow spaces. They also make loading luggage onto the vehicle a breeze. Most vans and minivans have this door type.

Gull-Wing Door

Gull-wing doors or falcon-wing doors open upward and rest on the roof of the vehicle. They open wide, up to 27.5 cm, making for easy entry and exit.

Butterfly Door

Butterfly doors open upward and rest on the upper front corner of the car frame. They offer a lot of space for entry and exit, but they require more parking space due to how wide they open. Butterfly doors are common on high-performance vehicles, like race and sports cars.

Scissor Door

Scissor doors are comparable to butterfly doors, as they both swing vertically upward. The difference is that scissor doors move via hinge points at the bottom of the car’s A-pillar instead of the A-pillar along the hinges. Big-name cars like Ferraris, Lamborghini, and McLaren often have this door type.

Dihedral Door

Dihedral doors are similar to scissor doors that open outward, but it rotates 90 degrees on the hinges of the door on the A-pillars. They’re one of the newest designs in the industry.

Swan Door

Swan doors open upward and provide easy access even in tight parking spaces. They’re common on high-performance or concept cars.

What Does Car Door Replacement Entail?

Car door replacement involves the following:

• Removing the old door
• Replacing or repairing worn-out parts
• Installing the new door

What each step entails varies depending on the car door type and the state of the door. For example, if your car door has significant collision damage, its hinges might be bent out of shape, making it hard to dismantle it.

Can I Replace the Car Door Myself?

You can replace the car door yourself if the damage isn’t too severe and the electric parts of the replacement are still intact. You also need to have the right tools for the job, including a wrench and thread-locking fluid.

How Long Does It Take To Replace a Car Door?

It takes two to three hours for an auto body shop to replace and install a car door. The time varies depending on the state of the old door, the door type, the amount of custom work required, and other factors.

Wrapping Up

While the total bill of car door replacement can get steep, it’s all worth it to replace a ruined door or update your ride’s look. Get the best value for your money by ensuring your new car door fits your vehicle in function and style.

Get the Right Replacement Car Door Online

There are a lot of components on your vehicle’s doors including the door glass, door shell, door seal, and door panel. When these components are damaged, a wide range of issues can occur concerning safety and water entering the vehicle. 

Fortunately, shopping for top-notch replacement parts is easy here at CarParts.com. We have a great selection of OE-grade parts for your vehicle, which takes the guesswork out of finding compatible products for your ride. We only offer products that have passed the highest quality control standards of industry professionals. Enter your vehicle’s specifications into our vehicle selector to start browsing for compatible replacement parts.

Find the best prices for everything you need right here. Don’t miss out on the best deals on the market and shop for door parts like glasses, seals, panels, and shells today!