Dashboard Replacement
Replacing a dashboard is one of the larger interior jobs on a car, because the steering column, the climate unit, the wiring and the airbag all sit around it. It is worth doing when damage is widespread, after a collision, or when a repaired panel keeps failing.
From AED 2,499Written quote after diagnosis, before work startsConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- 1 to 3 days
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
Signs you need dashboard replacement
- The top pad is cracked or warped across most of its width
- A front accident has deployed the airbags and the dash has torn or buckled
- Melted or deformed sections near the windscreen or the defrost vents
- Water damage from a leaking windscreen or a blocked drain has soaked the carpets and behind the dash
- A panel that is broken and no longer sold on its own
What usually causes it
Airbag deployment
When a passenger airbag fires, it tears through the dash. The cover and often the supporting structure are single-use parts that must be replaced.
Heat distortion over many years
Warping stops panels from sitting flush, so they pull away at the edges and rattle. At that stage, patching is no longer a lasting answer.
Fire or electrical damage
A short circuit behind the dash can melt plastics and wiring. The fault has to be cured before any new dash is fitted.
Previous poor work
Holes drilled for extra equipment or cracks filled with the wrong materials can leave an assembly that is cheaper to replace.
How we do dashboard replacement
- 1
Confirm replacement is truly needed
We compare the repair option and the replacement option on the quote, so you can see the difference before you decide.
- 2
Source the part
You choose between OEM, aftermarket and used parts. A used dash from a car in the same colour and trim often fits best, and we check it for cracks before buying.
- 3
Strip the cabin safely
The battery is disconnected and the airbag system is left to discharge. Steering wheel, column covers, seats, centre console and the wiring are carefully removed and labelled.
- 4
Swap components and refit
The cluster, climate controls, vents, airbag and brackets are transferred or replaced, the harness is routed so nothing is pinched, and the new dash is secured.
- 5
Scan, calibrate and road test
We clear any airbag warning, check each switch and sensor, and test for squeaks on a drive over rough ground.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Used dashboards are widely available in the region from imported and written-off vehicles, but a sun-damaged one is not a bargain, so we examine the donor part before we commit. If the car is financed or insured after an accident, check what the insurer or lender requires about parts before we order anything.
Questions about dashboard replacement
Does the airbag have to be replaced as well?
Only if it has fired, is damaged or past its listed life. A sound, undeployed airbag is transferred to the new dash and tested through the warning system.
How long will I be without the car?
Usually between one and three days, and longer if a part has to be ordered. We tell you the expected time on the quote, and arrange pickup and delivery so you do not have to wait at the workshop.
Will the new dash match my colour?
A used or OEM part in the right trim code matches. An aftermarket part may differ slightly, and we tell you in advance if a dye is needed.
Is the work safe for the airbag system?
Yes, when the maker's procedure is followed. After the job we scan for faults so the warning light is off and the system is ready.
Last updated
Get a written quote
Tell us about your car. You get an itemised quote before any work starts, and you choose OEM, aftermarket or used parts.