Can You Identify These Parts on the Outside of a Car?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify These Parts on the Outside of a Car?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

The first cars were very simple.

They basically were a motor attached to an open top carriage. Those carriages were similar to horsedrawn carriages. Let's just say that vehicle design wasn't a big thing back in the day! 

As time went on, however, the motor car became far more complicated. Of course, the most complications were mechanical. The internal combustion engine was improved, leading to more power, torque and of course, speed.

But vehicle design also came on in leaps and bounds. As cars became faster, drivers needed protection from wind (and bugs) and so the windshield was born. More cars on the road meant that safety became important. Things like the side mirror helped in that regard. And what about bumpers? These were initially designed to protect a car in a collision, although today, they have changed significantly. 

Although your car won't go anywhere if you have major internal car part problems, the external parts are just about as important for your safety and others on the road around you. 

So let's cut to the chase. For this quiz, we are going to test your knowledge of external car parts. Let's see how many you can identify correctly. Of course, many are obvious, but don't get too confident.

Good luck.

Tires
Shutterstock
Can you name the car part in the image?
Tires
Hubcap
Rims
Air valve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A car rides on its tires. They provide essential grip in all conditions. Specialist vehicles, like off-roaders, can have very specific tires.

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Essential for driving at night, what are these?
Shutterstock
Essential for driving at night, what are these?
License plate
Side mirrors
Windscreen wipers
Headlights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The headlights on a vehicle ensure that the driver can see in conditions where light is poor or at night.

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Gull wing doors
GUMPERT Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH via Wiki Commons
These appear on all cars, wait, on some cars. What are they called?
Rims
Tailpipe
Gullwing doors
Rear spoiler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Doors that open upward above the driver's head are known as gullwing doors. They first appeared on the Mercedes Benz 300SL in the 1950s. The failed DeLorean sports car of 'Back to the Future' fame also had gullwing doors.

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antenna
Shutterstock
Name this feature of older vehicles. They are not really seen on modern cars.
Sunroof
Antenna
Rollbar
Gas filler cap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although antennas are now hidden away in modern cars, a couple of decades ago, you needed one sticking out your car's roof or next to the hood to pick up your favorite radio station.

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Found on all cars but changed significantly in modern vehicles, what vehicle part is shown in this image?
Shutterstock
Found on all cars but changed significantly in modern vehicles, what vehicle part is shown in this image?
Tires
Bumper
Side mirror
Hubcap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In years gone by, the bumper stood proudly out from the rest of the body work of your vehicle and protected it in the event of an accident. This has disappeared in modern designs.

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tailpipe
Shutterstock
This is an easy one. Can you name the car part featured in this image?
Trunk
Mudflap
Rear bumper
Tailpipe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This pipe runs all the way from your car engine and ends at the rear of the vehicle. Gases produced during combustion within the engine chamber are excreted through this pipe.

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side mirror
Shutterstock
An essential part of overall safety, can you name this part?
Side mirror
Door panel
Side window
Windshield
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All cars left and right side mirrors. This helps the driver observe behind them to the left and the right, crucial when changing lanes.

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sun roof
Shutterstock
Name this part that appears on the outside of your vehicle.
Sunroof
Hood
Trunk
Side panel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ah, the sunroof. Letting the sun in since 1973! Let's be honest, you either love them or hate them!

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gas filler cap
Shutterstock
Name the cap in the picture, please.
Oil cap
Brake fluid reservoir cap
Gas filler cap
Radiator cap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To get gas into your vehicle, you first need to take off the gas filler cap. Its main purpose is to stop gas evaporating out of the tank.

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bull bar
Shutterstock
What is the name of this part?
Tow bar
Bull bar
Bumper
Tailpipe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's a massive metal bar in the front of your vehicle that offers impact protection. Normally seen on large pickups!

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mud guard
Shutterstock
Identify the part in the image, please.
Mudguard
Running board
Tire
Fender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found more in older models, a mudguard stops mud from been flicked up under the car and onto the bodywork. It hangs in front of the rear tire and behind the front tire.

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running board
Shutterstock
Any idea what this outside car part is called?
Bull bar
Door panel
Running board
Rollbar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is normally found on pickup trucks and in some older models. The running board is a piece below the door that can be used to step up into the vehicle.

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door handle
Shutterstock
You should get this part easily enough! Name it, please.
Gas filler cap
Door handle
Support strut
Side mirror
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To open your car door, you pull on the door handle once it has been unlocked

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hubcap
Shutterstock
In older cars, these were often shiny. Do you know the name of this car part?
Tire
Hubcap
Wheel nut
Rims
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a covering for the wheel nuts that hold the wheel to car axle.

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tail lights
Shutterstock
What external car part is seen here?
Utility lights
Tail lights
Headlights
Fog lights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

- The tail lights on a vehicle have two important functions. First, they aid visibility, and second, they allow cars following you to see if you are braking.

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windshield wiper
Shutterstock
Any idea what this is called?
Cowl screen
Runner board
Windshield wiper
Support strut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Raining? The windshield wiper clears the windscreen, keeping the driver's view clear. It was invented in 1903.

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roof rack
Shutterstock
Name this essential part of vacation travel.
Roof rack
Sunroof
Quarter panel
Carrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Roof racks attach to the top of the vehicle and can carry luggage, surfboards, equipment - well, almost anything that fits.

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grille
Shutterstock
Can you name the external car part that appears in this image?
Hood
Grille
Cowl screen
Running board
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Appearing on the front of the car, the grille is often used by manufacturers as a iconic way to identify their cars. Think BMW and their famous grille design that appears on all their models.

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roll bar
Shutterstock
This external part is called a ________?
Rollbar
Towbar
Tailpipe
Bull bar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A roll bar is found on vehicles without a roof. It is the highest point on the car and ensures that the driver and passengers are not crushed should the car overturn.

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rims
Shutterstock
Name this part, please.
Tires
Rims
Hubcap
Wheel nut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tires are attached to rims, which in turn are connected to the axle with bolts and nuts.

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spoiler
Shutterstock
Not all vehicles have this part. Can you name it?
Bumper
Rear spoiler
Front spoiler
Runner board
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many sports cars have spoilers on the back of the vehicle. These provide more aerodynamic downforce for the vehicle.

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registration plate
Shutterstock
Do you know what this is?
License plate
Rear bumper
Trunk
Tail lights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

License plate - A registration plate allows authorities to keep a record of your vehicle and identify it when you transgress any traffic laws.

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Cowl screen
AmericanMuscle.com via Youtube
This one is a little tougher! Do you know what this car part is called?
Hood
Trunk
Cowl screen
Windshield wiper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the small piece of plastic (usually) that is found in the gap between the windshield and the hood.

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front windsheild
Shutterstock
This part of the car allows visibility for the driver. Can you name it?
Front windshield
Rear window
Side window
Sunroof
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the larger windows on a car, this allows visibility for the driver.

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rear window
Shutterstock
Name this external car part, made from glass.
Side mirror
Front windshield
Side window
Rear window
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the larger windows on a car, this allows rear visibility.

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trunk
Shutterstock
You should easily name this car part!
Hood
Tailgate
Trunk
Sunroof
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The trunk is the protective cover for the storage area on your vehicle.

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Quarter panel
Overlaet via Wiki Commons
The external car part in the picture is a __________?
Door
Hood
Trunk
Quarter panel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quarter panels are found between the rear doors and trunk.

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Vertical support pillar
CZmarlin via Wiki Commons
This is critical part in the overall structure of the bodywork of the vehicle. Can you name it?
Quarter panel
Roof rack
Door panel
Vertical support pillar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vertical support pillars are found around the car and provide the support for the roof.

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tailgate
Shutterstock
This external part on your vehicle is commonly referred to as a ____________.
Tailgate
Rear spoiler
Rear bumper
Registration plate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tailgate is found at the rear of the vehicle, normally a pickup. By dropping the tailgate you can load equipment, for example, or have a party!

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scissor doors
johnny_nissan via Wiki Commons
These appear on all cars, wait, on a few cars. What are they called?
Scissor doors
Rear spoiler
Rims
Front windshield
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not all cars have them, but those that do look spectacular. Scissor doors open upward and point toward the sky to add a bit more cool to sports cars such as the Lamborghini Countach.

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door lock
Shutterstock
Any idea of the name of the part featured in this image?
Rocker
Door panel
Side mirror
Door lock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many modern cars simply do not feature a door lock anymore with access now gained electronically. Older cars, however, were locked and unlocked using a key.

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Wood facia
Asterion via Wiki Commons
This should remind you of the Griswolds and their vacations. What part is it?
Rear spoiler
Wood facia
Fender
Mudguard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A favorite of '70s and '80s station wagons, a wood facia panel finish on the doors of your vehicle was paramount on the family wagon.

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fog light
Shutterstock
A little tougher! Can you identify the external car part pictured here?
Sunroof
Tail lights
Headlight
Fog light
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fog lights are an extra set of lights used in mist or fog to provide more visibility and make the vehicle more visible.

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tow bar
Shutterstock
This external vehicle part is called a _______?
Bull bar
Rollbar
Rear bumper
Tow bar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Need to tow a mobile home? A tow bar is all you need.

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Front Spoiler
Clément Bucco-Lechat via Wiki Commons
Name this external car part, please.
Rear spoiler
Cowl screen
Front spoiler
Bumper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Front spoilers appear at the bottom of the body work in front of the car and provide extra down force.

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rear windshield wiper
Shutterstock
Identify this external car part, please.
Front windshield
Rear window wiper
Side mirror
Trunk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not all cars have them, but a rear window wiper allows for greater visibility in rainy conditions.

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Suicide doors
VoxLuna via Wiki Commons
These appear on all cars, wait, on most cars. These however, are special. What are they called?
Gullwing doors
Suicide doors
Scissor doors
Trunk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Instead of opening thanks to a hinge on the front of the door, suicide doors are hinged at the back and open behind the passenger or driver. They were popular on cars in the 1920s, the '30s and '40s but are not found much today as they are said to be unsafe.

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side windows
Shutterstock
This external car part is known as the ____________?
Rear window
Side window
Windshield
Sunroof
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Side windows are found in the doors of the vehicle. They can be lowered and raised again, when necessary.

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hood
Shutterstock
Name this large part of a vehicle's bodywork.
Hood
Trunk
Roof
Side panel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hood is the protective cover for the engine.

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rocker
biker mike via Youtube
What external car part is featured in this image?
Rocker
Grille
Side mirror
Floor pan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rocker is a body panel that is found below the door. It is normally very small and not found in some vehicles.

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You Got:
/40
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