Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 03, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MOTORCAR PARTS AMERICA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000918251
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,965,030
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Address, State or Province	CA