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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be reluctant to drive this journey without a mirror?

61 replies

nomirror · 08/09/2021 11:08

A couple of weeks ago, the nearside wing mirror (just the glass part) fell off my car whilst driving. I did pull up as soon as I could and walk back to look for it but couldn't see it, it's possible it had smashed and shattered when it fell off. The mirror was one that had apparently been stuck on by previous owner and had come loose. These things happen.

I went online to order one - due to the age of my car it wasn't available from any local retailer unless I bought another stick on one (my car actually has heated mirrors, so it makes sense to buy a proper replacement with the backing plate so the heat sensor will work - it doesn't work on the current one as the backing plate is covered in double sided tape and adhesive). Annoyingly delivery for the mirror and plate was either unspecified, or 21-28 days. So I put in the order for the one with the delivery date.

In the meantime I've been driving my usual local journeys to shops etc, as there are perfectly manageable with just rearview and offside mirror.

However next week I am due to do a 4 hour motorway journey, and I am reluctant to do this without my nearside mirror. I'll be on the M1 and M25, lots of changing lanes etc and I completely rely on both wing mirrors. DP rather scoffed at this and said (as he often does in driving, having had a licence for 20 years longer than me) oh you'll be fine. But I simply don't feel confident to do it.

Is that being wimpy of me? OR am I right to be cautious? The earliest date for the mirror to be delivered is Monday, and I'm due to travel on Weds so I'm hoping it should be here, but it's possible it might not. My back up plan - which will be annoying if I have to do it - is to spend another £10-12 (in addition to the £20 for the one on order) for a stick on one from Halfords but I am slightly annoyed at the double expense! Which again DP says is not needed as I can drive without it - whereas I think yes I can drive without it, but I can't confidently drive without it on a motorway!

OP posts:
Seeline · 08/09/2021 11:12

I don't think YABU - both mirrors are essential for motorway driving IME (over 30 years driving experience.).

Is it actually legal to drive without one?

happystory · 08/09/2021 11:13

Am no motoring expert but I suspect it's illegal. I use both mirrors much more when driving on motorways.

Dazedandconfused10 · 08/09/2021 11:14

Have you looked to see if you can get a replacement from a scrapyard they are good for spares and parts for older cars

RazorSharp · 08/09/2021 11:14

I've no idea why you haven't spent the £10 from Halfords immediately? Are funds really that tight?

LakeShoreD · 08/09/2021 11:14

I wouldn’t want to do that journey without a mirror either. Are you very tight for money because the £10 for the temp stick on one really isn’t expensive and is hands down worth it to make the drive as safe as possible. Tbh I’m kind of shocked you’ve been driving around even locally without a wing mirror when you could have got one for a tenner.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 08/09/2021 11:15

You can drive without it, it's not illegal provided your other wing and rearview mirror are both fine. However, if you're stopped you may get a 14 day repair notice from the police, and it would be taken into consideration if you had an accident ie you haven't maintained your car to the standard it should be at (I know you've made steps and it's the delivery issue)

Pootles34 · 08/09/2021 11:15

£10 to drive safely and confidently on a motorway is absolutely nothing, I would buy one as soon as possible.

Asdf12345 · 08/09/2021 11:16

If I recall rightly you need two mirrors, either two wing mirrors or drivers wing mirror and central. If fitted the passenger side I think is supposed to be functional but if worried about the legalities you can just stick any small mirror on with tape.

I used to have a car with just the drivers and central mirror and never felt lacking in visibility, you just have to turn your head more.

iolaus · 08/09/2021 11:17

Does your partner also have a car?

If so, and you are both insured on the other, can you switch cars for that journey? If he thinks it doesn't bother you

@Seeline I checked - legally can drive without passenger side (but not advisable) but can't without drivers side

www.insurethebox.com/low-mileage-insurance/legal-mirror-requirements/

Porridgealert · 08/09/2021 11:17

It's not illegal and if you were just doing a short quiet stretch, no problem. But people are mad on motorways. And the M25, last time I drove it, everyone stuck to their lane and undertook. However, if you're happy to just stay in the inside lane for the entire journey...

Shade17 · 08/09/2021 11:18

I don't think YABU - both mirrors are essential for motorway driving IME (over 30 years driving experience.)

In the past many cars didn’t have a nearside mirror at all. I use a classic on the motorway sometimes without one and it’s not an issue, you just need to have good observation skills and correct use of the other two mirrors. It’s a legal requirement on cars 2010 onwards but if yours was made before then crack on.

TheChiefJo · 08/09/2021 11:18

I'd take the hit and buy the stick on, after all, if you're uncomfortable driving without it will affect your driving. Always go with your instincts, never be pressured to do something less safe based on the assurance of others. If you did have an accident, it would be on you, not your DP.

QuestionableMouse · 08/09/2021 11:19

www.wing-mirror.co.uk/ do next day delivery. I used them recently and had no problems.

You can't drive without one.

Shade17 · 08/09/2021 11:21

You can't drive without one.

Yes, you can actually.

MagnoliaXYZ · 08/09/2021 11:21

I was always having my passenger side wing mirror ripped off my car when I lived on one dodgy street. When it went for an MOT, I was told the driver's side mirror is a legal requirement and you must have either the passenger side mirror or the rear view mirror. I did many journeys, including long and motorway journeys, without the passenger side mirror and it never caused a problem.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 08/09/2021 11:21

Yabu to question yourself.

FiveShelties · 08/09/2021 11:21

How much is the excess on your car insurance policy if you have an accident. I suspect it may be more than a tenner.

Mumdiva99 · 08/09/2021 11:21

Definitely don't drive on the motorway without it. I don't realise how much I use mine until my husband is in the car as he often gets in the way of it and I have to ask him to move.....I'm not keen on the m25 at best of times let alone with no mirror.

icedcoffees · 08/09/2021 11:23

You can drive without one - I had to when someone smashed into me and drove off. It's not illegal assuming both other mirrors are working.

But I would get a replacement ASAP. £10 is nothing if it means you can drive safely.

Rollercoaster1920 · 08/09/2021 11:28

You can always turn your head to look before manoeuvring you know. or spend the £10.

Fivefourthreetwo · 08/09/2021 11:37

I wouldn't dream of driving on the motorway without both wing mirrors. It's not worth the risk, both to you and other road users. Pretty selfish to do it in my opinion

Original poster
nomirror · 08/09/2021 11:38

I did look into the legalities and as several PP have said you have to have 2 mirrors as a minimum - so having rearview and offside is ok (lots of vehicles of course don't have a rearview mirror).

I didn't spend the £10 immediately because it's not the right mirror, it's only a stick on one, and in replacing it I thought it better to do the job properly. I wasn't expecting it to take quite so long to arrive! And as I can manage fine without it for everyday driving I didn't see the point in duplicating expense.

I'm glad that many of you also wouldn't drive without it either, makes me feel less useless!

I can't drive DP's car unfortunately as he works away and has it with him, he won't be back before I need to travel.

OP posts:
Iggly · 08/09/2021 11:39

@Rollercoaster1920

You can always turn your head to look before manoeuvring you know. or spend the £10.
Cars move fast on the motorway, better to use mirrors
QuestionableMouse · 08/09/2021 11:40

@Shade17

You can't drive without one.

Yes, you can actually.

Legally? Maybe.

Practically - maybe, but why, when there are options? It'll be a much more stressful trip, especially when the OP is already stressed.

It's amazing how much you miss it!

TheChiefJo · 08/09/2021 11:40

Get the stick on, it is good to have a spare for future anyway.