is the mirror accurate

Ah, the humble mirror—nature's way of keeping you humble and occasionally reminding you of that spinach stuck between your teeth. If we're talking about vehicle mirrors, yes, they are designed to provide a fairly accurate reflection of what's behind or beside you, but remember, they're not magic portals. Convex mirrors, common on passenger side, distort distance to give a wider field of view, which means objects may appear smaller and further away than they really are. Always double-check, especially when changing lanes or flipping off that cyclist.

In short, mirrors are accurate for what they are, but your brain needs to compensate for their quirks. For more specifics on your vehicle's mirrors, check out manuals or ServiceCentral.