Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 02, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MOTORCAR PARTS AMERICA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000918251
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33861
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-2153962
Entity Address, Address Line One	2929 California Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Torrance
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	90503
City Area Code	310
Local Phone Number	212-7910
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	MPAA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,056,292