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Should you reuse car clips or replace them?

3 min read · Getting started

After taking off a panel you will have a handful of old clips. Some can go back in. Others will leave the panel loose or rattling. Here is how to decide.

Signs a clip should be replaced

• Cracks in the head or stem
• Legs that have spread or bent and do not spring back
• A centre pin that no longer locks
• Ribs that are flattened (tree clips)
• A sealing washer that is torn or missing
• Rust on metal clips such as speed clips

Clip types that wear fastest

Push pin rivet clips often lose their grip after a few removals. Christmas tree clips lose their ribs. Exterior moulding clips get brittle in the sun. Crush washers are designed to be used once.

When reusing is fine

A clip that came out whole, still grips firmly and holds the panel tight can usually go back in. Scrivets with a screw centre are often reusable because they come out without being forced.

Why keep spares

Clips break at the worst time: halfway through a job on a weekend. Keeping a pack of the common clips for your car saves a delay. Many of our packs drop in price per pack when you buy two or more.

See also how to remove car trim clips and how to measure a car clip.

A quick test for an old clip

1. Look for cracks around the head and stem.
2. Check that the legs or ribs spring back when squeezed.
3. Push it into the hole by hand: it should need firm pressure and not spin.
4. For push pins, check the pin locks with a click.

How many spares to keep

A good rule is to have at least a third more clips than the panel uses. Plastic clips that have been in the car for years break more often than new ones.

Why old clips break more often

Plastic clips spend years in engine heat, sunlight and cold mornings. Over time the plastic hardens and loses its spring, so a clip that looks fine can snap the first time it is moved. Clips near the engine, the exhaust or the windscreen tend to age fastest.

The cost of a loose clip

A missing clip on a liner or under-tray can let the panel flap at speed, catch on driveways or rub on a tyre. A loose door card can rattle and let water reach the trim. A new clip costs very little compared with replacing a damaged panel.

Reuse or replace: by clip type

Frequently asked questions

Do new clips hold better than old ones?

Usually, because the plastic is still flexible and the ribs or legs are not worn.

Sizes and fitting steps in our guides are general. Check your vehicle's manual for anything specific to your car. Questions? Call 0499 001004.