Suzuki Right Rear Door, Matched Before It Ships

Suzuki has reused names across unrelated vehicles here more than most marques — the Grand Vitara covers a ladder-frame SUV and a modern crossover, the Brezza was sold under two names, and the Swift spans four generations. Body panels are where that bites hardest, because the badge is identical and the metal is not. We source against the generation code, never the name. In practice the decision in front of you is whether a straight second-hand panel beats a new aftermarket one once prep, paint and fitting are added to both quotes rather than just the part price.

The year, the derivative and the paint code off the VIN plate, plus a photograph of the damage. With that we can usually confirm the right part quickly, and we'll tell you whether we're quoting new, aftermarket or good used rather than leaving you to guess.

Often, and it is usually faster. Straightening a folded skin is hours of labour with no guarantee the swage line comes back straight, while a sound donor door bolts on in a morning. What catches people out is the paint, since the door still has to be prepped and blended into the panels either side. Use the quote form with your VIN and the door will be matched to your car.

Rarely well enough to skip the job. A colour code narrows the search to the right paint, but two cars wearing the same code that have stood in different amounts of sun will not look identical in daylight. Plan on the panel beater blending the new door into the quarter panel and the front door.

It varies with how the donor was stripped, so ask what is still fitted before you decide. A complete door saves a lot of transfer work, while a bare shell suits you better if your own regulator and window motor are still good. Say which you would prefer when you send the request.

Look along the bottom seam and inside the drain slots first, because that is where rust starts and the trim hides it. Then check that the hinge mounting faces are not pulled or distorted, sight down the skin in daylight for filler, and hang it on the car and shut it properly before any paint goes near it.

They are mirror images and not interchangeable — hinge pattern, lock, glass shape and trim clip positions are all handed. On a right-hand-drive car the right rear door also opens into moving traffic, so give its trailing edge and handle area a close look for the knocks that come with that.