30 Basic Car Body Parts

Names And Their Function

by Shivansh Sabhadiya
Just like a human body operates with different body parts, a car
has its distinctive parts that, when brought together, complete a
car.
Have you ever looked at the engine of your car and wondered
what the names of car parts were? In this article, we will dive
into different car body parts and learn their name along with their
functions.

Car Body Parts Names List

The following are the main parts of the car body:
 Body shell
 Hood or bonnet
 Front bumper
 Rear bumper
 Bumper grille
 Crash guard or bullbar
 Headlight
 Fog lamp
 Indicator lights
 Wiper blade
 Radiator
 Radiator supports.
 Cowl panel
 Quarter panel
 Fender
 Fender liners
 Roof
 Sunroof
 Mirrors
 Doors
  Door handle
 Window glass
 Quarter window
 Trunk or decklids
 Mud flaps
 Wheels
 Hubcap
 Dashboard
 Number plate
 Taillights

Car Body Parts Diagram

The Parts Of Car Body

The Body Parts of a car include:

#1. Body Shell.

The Body of the car is the main part of the motor vehicle that
normally sits on the Chassis and hosts the engine, mechanical,
electrical systems, seats, etc.
Bodyshells are known as the outer part of the body of the
Automobile without windows, doors, internal fittings, and
mechanical parts, which are south and north of the body.

#2. Hood/Bonnet.
Another Name for the Car Hood is bonnet in some nations. A car
hood is the hinged cover in front of the car, which is over the
engine of the front area vehicle.

Enables access to the car’s engine and other components so

proper repairs and maintenance can be done, saves from
harsher conditions, and protects the engine and other parts.
The hoods of most cars are usually made of metal, and some
have portions made of aluminum. Other types of car hoods, such
as those in performance cars, can be custom-made from carbon
fiber, fiberglass, or even dry carbon.
While on the road, the car hood is held in place by a concealed
latching mechanism. The dash located beneath the steering
wheel has a release button installed that allows access to the
lock. Cars designed for racing or those with custom hoods may
use stubborn exposed pins to hold the hood in place.
In American muscle cars, hoods have a power bulge or scoop
that improves airflow into the engine and helps increase power.

#3. Front Bumper.

Bumpers are protruding bars attached to the lower side of the
car horizontally. aka frontal and rear guards. Front and rear
bumpers help minimize damage to the car’s body.
While the front bumper is the primary shield of the car, its sides
are also fortified with bumpers, which offer cushioning around
the front and lower sides of the car.

#4. Rear Bumper.

The rear bumper of the vehicle is much alike the front. It
maintains the position for the rear taillights. Every automobile
has front and rear bumpers that absorb the impact of low-speed
collisions. They also protect the trunk and exhaust systems from
costly damage.

#5. Bonnet Grill.

The space between the headlights of a car contains a car grille.
In addition to framing the engine compartment, it is often
arranged in a mesh pattern.
There are different kinds of grilles, for example: main grilles,
lower grilles, kidney grilles (only available on BMW vehicles),
and fog grilles.

As car designs evolve, different vehicles will be released with

new grille shapes. When buying a grille, you have to verify if it
will fit your vehicle.
The primary purpose of the grille is to provide sufficient airflow to
cool the car’s engine. While a vehicle is moving, air enters
through the grille and aids in ventilation within the engine
compartment.
The design of the grille can also determine how effectively the
engine is cooled.
#6. Bullbars Or Crash Guards.
Bull bars or crash guards are the metallic grid accessories
placed on the front and rear of a car to protect it from damage
during accidents.

#7. Headlight.
A headlamp is a lamp fitted on the front side of a motor vehicle
for lighting the road in clearer detail.
In everyday conversations, headlamps are called headlights,
but to be more technical, a headlamp is the device itself, while
the beam produced and emitted by the device is referred to as a
headlight.

#8. Fog Lamp.

Fog lamps are always placed lower than headlights and can aid
visibility while driving through bad weather conditions like rain,
mist, snow, or fog. Fog lamps cut through snow, rain, fog, or
even dust.

#9. Signal Lights.

These are a set of lights mounted at both the rear and front sides
of your car. When hit, each one of them blinks independently to
let other drivers know of the directional intention of the car.
On a normal basis, controls for signal lights are located to the left
of the steering wheel column, especially if it’s a right-hand drive
car.

Modern vehicles are equipped with front and rear indicators as

well as emergency beacons, which flash all signaling lights
simultaneously for enhanced visibility of the automobile.
#10. Roof And Pillars.
The roof is the top section of your vehicle, which encapsulates
you and your passengers, protecting them from external factors
like harsh weather. Depending on the make and model of your
car, roofs come in a wide range of types and styles.
Pillars are the vertical rods located at the four angles that form
the car’s roof. They provide additional car frame strength that
supports the upper frontal sections like the windshield, and the
upper parts of the vehicle frame.
The number of pillars a car has is determined by the length of
the vehicle. Some types of vehicles, such as the hatchback,
have angled pillars which change the crisp outline of the frame.

#11. Doors And Windows.

When it comes to part of the exterior of vehicles, doors and
windows are a clear cut. Doors are movable parts of the
automobile that you can use to enter and exit the vehicle. In
addition, the doors play a major role in securing your safety while
driving.
Car doors have several components that include a door panel,
door lock, handle, and a storage compartment. Depending on
the model of your vehicle, it could have anywhere from two to
four doors.
While the majority of doors can be operated manually, cars these
days come equipped with remote-controlled doors that can be
opened from a distance.
Car doors are important because they act as a mount for the
windows. They also protect the occupants from external
elements. Unlike the windshield, however, the windows can be
rolled up or down using a mechanism located inside the door.

#12. Rear Panels.

Towards the back of the vehicle, the rear panels are located.
These incorporate the tailgates, rear bumpers, rear brake lights,
rear hatchbacks, and even the exhaust system of the vehicle.

Side panels on the rear of the vehicle often contain the rear door
along with the wheel wells that enclose the rear wheels of the
vehicle, including the suspension components.

#13. Front Panels.

Front panels often house a car’s bumper, grille, headlight
assembly, fenders, and other components such as fog lights or
turn signals.
Front panels are usually used to house the bumper and grille of
the car, however, other mechanisms such as headlights, turn
signal lights, fog lights, headlight assembly, and fenders are also
installed there.

#14. Steering Wheel And Car Wheels.

The steering system comprises the steering wheel, column, and
the wheels of the vehicle. This system is connected to the wheel
cylinders of the vehicle and permits the driver to rotate them as
necessary.
Additionally, the front wheels are equipped with their own set of
suspension that maintains balance when in motion.

#15. Front And Rear View Mirrors And

Windows.
Sustained by the vehicle’s engine, the system of windshield
wipers is in charge of sweeping away all rain and debris resting
on a car’s windshield. The wiper system consists of several parts
that make sure the driver’s vision is unobstructed when driving.
These components are the wiper motor, the wiper blades, the
arms, linkages, and the washer reservoir.

#16. Bearings.
Wheel bearings are categorized as body parts that make up the
wheels which includes the axle as well.

#17. Body Kits.

Sometimes body kit can simply be termed as a body kit refers to
a collection of customized or additional components to be fitted
to a car. Body kits typically include the front and rear bumpers
alongside side skirts, spoilers, hoods or hood scoops, and come
with front and rear side guards and sometimes roof scoops.

#18. Body Trim.

Trim refers to the component that can be fitted onto the exterior
and inside of the vehicle to enhance its appearance.

#19. Bumper Guards.

You just can’t avoid scuffs and scratches when it comes to your
vehicle, but for those who want to keep their vehicle in as mint a
condition as possible, they offer a plethora of bumper guards on
the market.

#20. Cabin Parts.

Inner components of the cabinet.

#21. Cables.
These cables serve as the wiring harness that links all electronic
devices within a vehicle to the battery.
#22. Coolant Bottle.
Coolant bottle refers to the container which holds coolant in the
automobile’s engine system. Because the engines go through
cycles of heating and cooling, their parts require cycles of
expelling and absorbing coolant.

#23. Dashboard.
A dashboard, also known as the instrument panel (IP), or bezel,
is a control panel placed at the center console of a car or small
airplane. The wine region is directly ahead of the driver or pilot,
where they can take advantage of the instruments and controls
of the vehicle.

#24. Fenders.
Fender defines the part of an automobile, motorcycle or any
other vehicle, that encloses the arch of a wheel.
Fenders are designed to enhance the vehicle’s aerodynamics
and prevent sand, mud, pebbles, oil, and other road rancid waste
from getting ejected by the moving tires.

#25. License Plate And Brackets.

A number plate is commonly referred to as the license plate of a
vehicle. It is a metallic plaque affixed onto a vehicle that carries
the official registration number of the automobile.

#26. Mud Flaps.

Car owners understand the need for mud flaps on cars, SUVs,
and even trucks. This automotive device shields sensitive,
vulnerable areas of a car from collecting dirt, especially the
underpart of the car, which is more susceptible to rust and
corrosion.
In other regions, mudflaps are known as mudguards or splash
guards.

#27. Quarter Panels.

A quarter panel is the metal surface of a vehicle located between
the back door and the trunk which also usually constitutes the
wheel arch or wraps around the wheel. In British English, this is
referred to as rear wing.

#28. Sunroof.
A sunroof is an automobile accessory that is characterized by a
sliding window that can be moved to allow in air or light into the
passenger’s compartment. Sunroofs can be motorized or
manually operated, and come in numerous styles, shapes, and
sizes.

#29. Wheel.
The rim refers to the outer circular portion of a wheel, which
encompasses the tire. It is the external component of the wheel
where the tire is fitted in vehicles like cars.

#30. Windshield Washer Motor.

The windshield washing pump (motor) is found at the bottom of
the tank where the windshield washer fluid is stored. In many
cars, the windshield washer tank is behind the front bumper in
front of a front wheel; refer to the illustration.

#31. Wiper.
A wiper is an implement used to remove rain from the
windscreen of the vehicle.

FAQs.
What Are The Body Parts Called On A
Car?
1. Bonnet/hood. Bonnet/hood. Car cover. Support stick. Hinges
and springs.
2. Bumper. Unexposed bumper. Exposed bumper.
3. Cowl screen.
4. Decklid.
5. Fender (wing or mudguard)
6. Grille (also called grill)
7. Pillar and hard trim.

What Are The Panels On A Car Called?

A similar front section between the door and the hood (bonnet) is
called a fender (front wing), and may sometimes also be referred
to as a quarter panel. Quarter panels are typically made of sheet
metal but are sometimes made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, or
fiber-reinforced plastic.

What Is The Main Part Of A Car?

The chassis of an automobile has the frame, suspension system,
axles, and wheel as the main components.

How Do I Identify A Car Part?

To obtain the correct car part:
1. Vehicle identification number (VIN) – this is a number that
specifically relates to your car, and can be used to locate the
right part.
2. Part codes – on some occasions, the part itself will have a
code, though you might need to dig through the dirt and grease
to see it.

What Is The Front Body Of A Car Called?

Bonnet. noun. British the front part of a car that covers the
engine. The American word is hood.