How often does a soft top need to be replaced?
Quick answer: With regular cleaning and weather-proofing, a soft-top shouldn’t need replacing and can last the life of the car. Wear from frequent raising/lowering is normal; consider replacement only if a tired roof is hurting the value of a desirable car.
You shouldn't need to replace the roof of your cabriolet. If you care for your roof properly with regular maintenance, cleaning and weatherproofing, it should last the life of the car. There are plenty of cars on the road from the 1960s which still have their original roofs.
With that said, some wear is unavoidable and if you are using your car and frequently lowering and raising the hood, this wear will become evident. If you have a desirable car which has kept its value, it may be worth replacing the hood, if the condition of the hood is lowering the value of the car.
It depends very much on the make and model of the car, and what needs to be replaced, but roofs can be replaced for around £600 — £3000. This could be well worth the investment if you are selling the car, or if you intend to keep it for many more years. But before you go spending the money, you may find that a good clean and proofing will make a massive improvement. Hood replacement is usually done for rips and holes, often due to vandalism, in which case your insurance company may cover it.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 08/09/2025 16:54
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