Why did our Hyundai i10's window break when we clipped a wing mirror?

We purchased a Hyundai i10 1.2 Auto Comfort in September of last year and last week my wife, when passing parked cars, drifted in a little and clipped a mirror. Our mirror shattered instantly and a second or two later, the passenger window disintegrated. Although showered with glass, neither of us was hurt. The owner of the parked car was very helpful and confirmed that the damage to her car was negligible; a slight scratch on her mirror case and nothing else. For expediency, we used our local garage to supply and fit a new window glass and mirror assembly that cost £554.11. I have never heard of a window glass breaking because of a mirror clipping and wonder if we are entitled to compensation from Hyundai. Your advice and suggestions would be appreciated: I think Hyundai are culpable.

Asked on 4 June 2011 by BW, Brighton.

Answered by Honest John
The door mirrors of i10s are mounted in the window frames. What happened was the force of the impact fed into the window frame, so not at all surprising that the window shattered.
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