The Average Cost for Door Replacement on a Car
by Brandon M. Dennis
Several factors determine the cost of replacing a car door. Where you purchase the door and who installs it can have an impact on the price as well as the cost of painting the door to match the rest of the car. The model of the car affects the price of the replacement. A used Toyota, for instance, will cost less to replace than a new Porsche. If the vehicle in question was involved in an accident that caused the damage to the door, contact both drivers’ insurance companies -- they may be responsible for covering part, if not all, of the repair costs.
Where to Find a Door
When it comes to actually finding a replacement door, explore several options. If you have a higher budget, buy a replacement door from the dealership or the manufacturer directly. If your wallet isn't quite that deep, you can still find suitable replacement doors and other parts at a junk yard or through online sources. While a door from the manufacturer will cost more, you know it will fit. Finding a replacement door from secondhand sources for the exact model car you have may be a challenge.
Who Will Replace the Door?
If an insurance provider covers the cost of replacing the damaged door, let a licensed mechanic do the work to ensure the job is done correctly. If the insurance provider is only covering part of the cost, however, it may be more convenient for you to perform the labor yourself. While cutting out the cost of the labor will save quite a bit of money, assembling the door incorrectly could cause further damage and ultimately cost even more than paying a professional to do it right the first time.
Frame vs. Functioning Door
Remember that the door itself is just a frame. To make the door functional again, you need to install internal components such as the window, hardware, electronic components and wiring harnesses, which creates a fair amount of work after the door itself is mounted back onto the body of the vehicle.
Shop Around
For an idea of how much a door replacement can cost, the Ford F-150 door shell alone found online without any window or lock components runs a little over $100, at the time of publication, while the Toyota Camry replacement door goes for around $150. The same product for the Kia Forte runs $500 to $600, depending on which door needs to be replaced. The Mercedes-Benz can cost $650 and up. You can find these doors at auto body shops and salvage yards more cheaply, but these prices only reflect the shell itself. For a realistic price of replacing a door with all new parts, factor in the cost of the mechanisms for the locks, windows and even the door handle in some cases, which can add at least another $100 to the final price.
Although labor cost vary, it will typically run around $200 in most cases for common vehicles, such as the Ford F-150, the Toyota Camry and the Kia Forte. The Mercedes-Benz, however, could cost $500 to $700 in labor alone because it's a high-end vehicle. For a high-quality paint job to make the new door match the rest of the car, expect to pay an additional $100 to $200. This brings the total repair costs for the Ford F-150 to between $250 and $500, the Toyota Camry to between $300 and $550, the Kia Forte to between $700 and $900 and the Mercedes-Benz to between $1,000 and $1,500.
All that can realistically be done to find the best deal is to shop around and compare prices with both local shops and online for the specific year, make and model that needs repair.
Writer Bio
Brandon Dennis holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Central Florida with a minor in journalism. Since then, he has enjoyed working in the automotive aftermarket and has done so for the past six years. He is also currently seeking an ASE Certified Technician Certificate.
