If you are looking for a new transmission for your car, you might be looking at purchasing a second hand transmission in order to save on costs, or if a new one is not available.

This may or may not be a good idea depending on the circumstances, and in this blog we will cover what to look for and things to avoid when buying used gearboxes and transmissions.

Why Buy a Second Hand Transmission?

The biggest reason why people buy second hand transmissions is because of the cost.

A brand new gearbox from the dealer can costs thousands of dollars, which is often significantly more than a good, working second hand transmission.

You also have instances where a brand new one is no longer available, so the only option you have is to buy a second hand one.

Is Buying a Second Hand Transmission a Good Idea?

In many instances, buying a second hand transmission is a perfectly fine way to get your car running again.

However, you need to be careful about what you are buying, as you could end up with a transmission that is worse than what you already have.

What Are the Risks Of Buying a Second Hand Transmission?

When looking at a second hand transmission, it's a good idea to find out why the car it was removed from was pulled off the road.

Failed transmissions are often the cause of cars being scrapped, especially automatics, so you want make sure that the one you are looking at has a transmission that is ok.

If the car was in an accident, you want to make sure the the transmission did not sustain any damage.

Often times you also don't know the history of the car, so you can't be sure whether the transmission was maintained correctly throughout its life.

What to Look For When Buying a Second Hand Transmission

There are several things you can look for when buying a second hand transmission to increase the chances that you are getting a good one.

Service History

See if you can get a service history on the car and take a look if there are any maintenance records for the transmission.

If it is a manual, odds are there won't be any as many manuals don't require any maintenance. Automatics, however, often do require oil changes, so be sure that these have been done on time or you risk buying a transmission that could have issues.

Check the Drain Plug For Shavings

Most transmissions have a magnetic drain plug to catch any shavings from gears grinding to prevent further damage.

If you can, remove the drain plug and have a look to see if there are a lot of shavings stuck to it.

If there are, chances are this transmission has had a hard life, and you are probably better off looking for another one.

Check Which Car It Came From

Known which car the transmission came from and why it was removed can reveal a lot about its true condition.

If the car was in a minor accident, especially in the rear, then chances are that transmission was not the reason the car was scrapped, and its probably ok.

However, if the car was in a serious accident, there is a possibility that the transmission was also damaged, so it is probably best to stay away.

If the car was not in an accident, then you should be asking why the car was scrapped at all, as faulty transmissions are a common reason for cars being taken off the road.

Warranty

See if the seller will offer some kind of warranty on the transmission. While its not necessarily a red flag if there isn't a warranty, particularly from a private seller, getting a warranty can just give you that extra peace of mind.

Need a Transmission For Your European Vehicle?

If you are after a transmission for your European vehicle, we can help.

We have a wide range of European auto spares in our yard with perfectly fine second hand transmissions including VWs, Audis, Skodas, Saabs, Volvos and more.

If you need a gearbox or transmission, speak to us today by calling (09) 829 2618 or emailing info@aawreckers.co.nz.