Most inspection mirrors use regular silver glass mirrors. These mirrors provide clear, actual images (not distorted) and are widely used on furniture and equipment.
Convex mirrors
Under-vehicle inspection mirrors have convex mirrors. This means the mirror is curved outwards, as opposed to a concave mirror which is curved inwards.
A convex mirror provides a wider field of view due to it reflecting light around, rather than straight back at the user. The image however, can be distorted making it seem closer.
Convex mirrors have a number of uses, in particular to help drivers see at road junctions. They are used for large under vehicle inspection mirrors as the user needs to see a wide view of all of the underside of the vehicle.
