A door assembly for a motor vehicle includes an interior panel defining a compartment and an exterior panel secured to the interior panel and having an aperture providing access to the compartment. An equipment module is sized to enter the compartment via the aperture. The equipment module includes a carrier plate adapted to abut against a portion of the exterior panel surrounding the aperture. The door assembly also includes at least one accessory mounted to the carrier plate. The carrier plate is retained on all sides by the exterior panel.