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Buying car accessories can be exciting—new seat covers, floor mats, maybe a phone mount. But it's easy to get it wrong. You buy a set of seat covers that don't fit, floor mats that slide under the pedals, or a phone mount that blocks your charging port. Sound familiar?
We see it all the time. The good news? Most of these mistakes are completely avoidable. In this guide, we'll walk through the seven most common car accessory buying mistakes we've seen, and show you what to do instead. We'll even point you to some products that get it right.
The number one mistake is buying universal products without checking if they actually fit your specific vehicle. A universal floor mat might look like it'll work, but then it bunches up under your feet. A seat cover might not have the right cutouts for your seats, blocking side airbags or making seatbelts hard to reach.
What to do: Always check your vehicle's make, model, and year against the product's fitment chart. For example, the WeatherTech CupFone is designed to fit a specific range of cup holder sizes—if you don't measure, it might not fit securely.
For seat covers, check if your car has side airbags and whether the cover is airbag-compatible. The BDK PolyPro covers, for example, have breakaway seams for side airbag deployment, but only if installed correctly.
Not all floor mats are created equal. Some cheap rubber mats get stiff in cold weather, crack easily, or have a strong chemical smell that lingers for weeks. Similarly, cheap seat covers can be thin, scratchy, or fade after a few weeks in the sun.
What to do: Look for durable materials like TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or heavy-duty rubber. The Motor Trend FlexTough mats are made from a thick, flexible rubber that stays pliable in the cold and resists cracking. They're also easy to clean—just hose them off.
Some accessories look great in the store, but are a nightmare to maintain. Light-colored carpet mats that show every stain. Faux leather seats that need constant conditioning. Chrome floor mats that scratch and peel. Think about your lifestyle before you buy.
What to do: If you have kids or pets, go with easy-to-clean rubber floor mats like the BDK ProLiner mats. They have raised ridges that trap dirt and water, and you can rinse them off in minutes. For seat covers, consider a waterproof option like the Motor Trend AquaShield, which is perfect for pets or kids and wipes clean. Avoid metallic chrome mats like the BDK Metallic Chrome Red if you're not ready to baby them—they can scratch.
It's almost a cliché: you buy a universal sunshade, and it's too small for your windshield. Or a cargo liner that covers only half the trunk. Measuring is your friend.
What to do: Measure your car's cargo area, cupholders, seats, and steering wheel. The Leader Accessories 5-Layer Nonwoven Truck Cover comes in two sizes precisely because trucks vary so much—you need to know your truck's dimensions to get the right one.
Some accessories require more than just throwing them in. Cargo mats might need trimming, seat covers might need headrest holes cut out, and complex covers might need a second set of hands.
What to do: Read reviews to see how hard installation really is. For floor mats like the Motor Trend FlexTough Performance, most people find the trim-to-fit process easy with scissors or a utility knife. But seat covers like the BDK UltraSleek can be time-consuming to install, so set aside an hour.
Your phone mount might not work if you have a thick case, and your car's cupholder might be too big for the mount's base. Similarly, a cargo mat might interfere with your storage system. Always check compatibility.
What to do: Look for products with adjustable designs, like the WeatherTech CupFone, which has an expandable sleeve to fit various cupholder diameters. For phones, the DeskFone is a great alternative if you need a holder for your desk, not your car.
Everyone loves a bargain, but the cheapest option isn't always the best. A $20 seat cover that falls apart in a year is worse than a $40 one that lasts. Similarly, a premium floor mat might cost more upfront but save you from replacing your car's carpet.
What to do: Consider the cost per year. The WeatherTech TechCare Cleaner/Protector Kit might seem like an extra expense, but it keeps your floor mats looking new, extending their life. High-quality products from brands like WeatherTech, Motor Trend, and BDK are often worth the investment.
Avoiding these mistakes comes down to three steps: measure, check fitmment, and read reviews. Take a few minutes before you hit 'buy' and you'll save yourself a lot of hassle. The products we've mentioned above are some of our bestsellers for good reason—they work, they fit, and they last.
Still unsure? Reach out to our team—we're happy to help you find the right fit for your car.
