This guide is based on 24,650 real engine replacement quote requests processed through Engines Market between January and December 2025, with specific analysis of gearbox replacement requests and transmission specialist pricing [EM-VERIFIED].
Review cycle: annually · next full review: January 2027 · prices are reviewed quarterly.
What does gearbox replacement cost in the UK-
The short answer: Gearbox replacement costs range from £500 to £6,500+ depending on gearbox type and condition. Manual gearboxes cost £500-£3,000, while automatic transmissions range from £1,000-£5,000. DSG/DCT and CVT gearboxes typically cost £2,000-£6,500+.
The longer answer: For most UK drivers, gearbox replacement is a significant expense. Here's what you can expect:
[THIRD-PARTY] Manual gearbox replacement costs £800-£2,000 including labour; automatic transmissions range from £1,500-£3,500.
| Condition | Manual Supply Only | Manual Fitted | Auto Supply Only | Auto Fitted | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used | £500-£1,200 | £800-£2,000 | £800-£2,000 | £1,500-£3,500 | 1-6 months | Budget priority, older vehicles |
| Reconditioned | £800-£2,000 | £1,200-£3,000 | £1,500-£3,500 | £2,200-£5,000 | 6-12 months | Most owners - best value |
| Rebuilt | £1,200-£2,500 | £1,800-£4,000 | £2,500-£4,500 | £3,500-£6,500 | 12-24 months | Long-term ownership |
| New OEM | £1,500-£3,000 | £2,000-£4,500 | £3,000-£5,000+ | £4,000-£6,500+ | 12-24 months | Insurance/warranty claims |
[EM-QUOTE] These figures are derived from actual supplier quotes submitted through our platform. Prices are ex VAT. Labour rates assume independent specialist at regional average rates.
Understanding the different gearbox types
Why DSG/DCT and CVT cost more: DSG/DCT units have two clutches and complex mechatronics. CVTs require specialist knowledge and expensive steel belts. Traditional automatics are more common and most specialists can work on them.
Manual gearbox costs
| Vehicle Type | Example Models | Used Fitted | Recon Fitted | New OEM Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car | Fiesta, Polo, Corsa, Clio | £800-£1,200 | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,800-£3,000 |
| Family car | Focus, Golf, A3, Astra | £1,000-£1,500 | £1,500-£2,200 | £2,200-£3,500 |
| Executive | BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,800-£2,500 | £2,800-£4,500 |
| Performance | BMW M, Audi RS, Ford ST | £1,500-£2,500 | £2,500-£4,000 | £4,000-£6,000+ |
Automatic gearbox costs
| Vehicle Type | Example Models | Used Fitted | Recon Fitted | New OEM Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car (auto) | Fiesta, Polo, Corsa, Clio | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,800-£2,800 | £3,000-£4,500 |
| Family car (auto/DSG) | Focus, Golf, A3 | £1,500-£2,500 | £2,200-£3,500 | £3,500-£5,000 |
| Executive | BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class | £2,000-£3,000 | £2,500-£4,500 | £4,000-£6,500 |
| Large SUV | Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7, BMW X5 | £2,500-£3,500 | £3,500-£5,000 | £5,000-£7,500+ |
| Performance | Porsche, BMW M, Mercedes AMG | £3,000-£4,500 | £4,000-£6,000 | £6,000-£8,000+ |
[EM-QUOTE] These figures are derived from actual supplier quotes submitted through our platform. Prices are ex VAT. DSG/DCT and CVT units are typically at the higher end of these ranges.
How to spot a failing gearbox
Catching gearbox issues early can save you thousands - a simple repair may cost £200-£500, while a full replacement could cost £1,000-£5,000+.
What to do if you notice symptoms: Check fluid level and for leaks. Have it inspected by a specialist. Don't ignore symptoms - they won't get better. A diagnostic check can identify issues before they become catastrophic.
Detailed manual gearbox costs
| Vehicle Type | Supply Only (Used) | Supply Only (Recon) | Supply Only (New) | Fitted (Used) | Fitted (Recon) | Fitted (New) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car (FWD) | £500-£800 | £800-£1,200 | £1,500-£2,000 | £800-£1,200 | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,800-£3,000 |
| Family car (FWD) | £600-£1,000 | £1,000-£1,500 | £1,800-£2,500 | £1,000-£1,500 | £1,500-£2,200 | £2,200-£3,500 |
| Executive (RWD) | £800-£1,200 | £1,200-£1,800 | £2,000-£3,000 | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,800-£2,800 | £3,000-£4,500 |
| Performance | £1,000-£1,800 | £1,800-£3,000 | £3,000-£4,500+ | £1,500-£2,500 | £2,500-£4,000 | £4,000-£6,000+ |
Recommended: Replace the clutch at the same time. The labour cost to replace the clutch separately is much higher (the gearbox must be removed again). Doing it together saves 4-6 hours of labour (£300-£600). Clutch replacement adds £300-£800 to the fitting cost.
Manual gearbox warranty
| Condition | Typical Warranty | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Used | 1-3 months | Parts only (labour excluded) |
| Reconditioned | 6-12 months | Parts and labour |
| Rebuilt | 12-24 months | Parts and labour |
| New OEM | 12-24 months | Parts and labour (manufacturer warranty) |
Detailed automatic gearbox costs
| Vehicle Type | Supply Only (Used) | Supply Only (Recon) | Supply Only (New) | Fitted (Used) | Fitted (Recon) | Fitted (New) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car (FWD) | £800-£1,200 | £1,500-£2,000 | £3,000-£4,000 | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,800-£2,800 | £3,500-£5,000 |
| Family car (FWD) | £1,000-£1,800 | £1,800-£2,500 | £3,500-£4,500 | £1,500-£2,500 | £2,200-£3,500 | £4,000-£5,500 |
| Executive (RWD) | £1,200-£2,000 | £2,000-£3,000 | £4,000-£5,000 | £2,000-£3,000 | £2,500-£4,500 | £4,500-£6,500 |
| Large SUV (4WD) | £1,500-£2,500 | £2,500-£3,500 | £4,500-£6,000 | £2,500-£3,500 | £3,500-£5,000 | £5,500-£7,500 |
| Performance | £2,000-£3,000 | £3,000-£4,500 | £5,000-£8,000+ | £3,000-£4,500 | £4,000-£6,000 | £6,000-£8,000+ |
Automatic gearbox warranty
| Condition | Typical Warranty | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Used | 1-3 months | Parts only (labour excluded) |
| Reconditioned | 6-12 months | Parts and labour |
| Rebuilt | 12-24 months | Parts and labour |
| New OEM | 12-24 months | Parts and labour (manufacturer warranty) |
When replacing an automatic gearbox, you may also need: fluid and filter (£100-£300), torque converter (if not included), and control unit/mechatronic (may be extra).
Dual-Clutch Transmission (DSG/DCT) costs
DSG/DCT gearboxes are significantly more expensive than traditional automatics. Here's what to expect.
| Vehicle Type | Example Models | Recon Supply | Recon Fitted | New OEM Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW Group (4-cyl) | Golf GTI, Audi A3, Skoda Octavia | £2,000-£3,500 | £3,000-£5,000 | £4,500-£6,500+ |
| VW Group (6-cyl) | Golf R, Audi S3, Audi A4 | £2,500-£4,000 | £3,500-£5,500 | £5,000-£7,500+ |
| VW Group (V6/V8) | Audi A6, Audi Q7, Porsche | £3,500-£5,000 | £4,500-£7,000 | £6,000-£9,000+ |
| BMW M (DCT) | BMW M3, M4, M5 | £3,000-£5,000 | £4,000-£6,500 | £6,500-£9,000+ |
DSG/DCT-specific considerations: Mechatronic (control unit) often fails and is expensive to replace (£1,000-£2,500). Clutch packs wear out (£1,000-£2,000). Only certain transmission specialists work on DSG/DCT. VAG-COM / VCDS or equivalent required for proper diagnosis.
Continuously Variable Transmission costs
CVT gearboxes are common in Japanese cars and increasingly in other manufacturers.
| Vehicle Type | Example Models | Recon Supply | Recon Fitted | New OEM Fitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car | Nissan Qashqai, Honda Jazz | £1,800-£2,800 | £2,500-£4,000 | £4,000-£5,500 |
| Family car | Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Outback | £2,000-£3,500 | £3,000-£5,000 | £4,500-£6,500 |
| SUV | Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V | £2,500-£4,000 | £3,500-£5,500 | £5,000-£7,500 |
CVT-specific considerations: Steel belt is expensive to replace; failure often means replacement. Not all transmission specialists work on CVT. CVT fluid is specific and expensive (£80-£150 per litre). Regular fluid changes are essential to prevent failure.
Know exactly what you're paying for
When you pay for gearbox replacement, here's what's typically included and what's not.
✅ Typically included
⚠️ Typically NOT included (extra cost)
How labour time varies by gearbox type
| Gearbox Type | Labour Hours | Typical Labour Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual (FWD) | 5-8 hrs | £400-£800 | Most common - access through wheel arch or subframe |
| Manual (RWD) | 6-10 hrs | £500-£1,000 | Propshaft and gearbox support work required |
| Manual (4WD) | 8-12 hrs | £650-£1,200 | Transfer box and front/rear drive shafts involved |
| Automatic (FWD) | 7-10 hrs | £550-£1,000 | Heavier than manual, more components to disconnect |
| Automatic (RWD) | 8-12 hrs | £650-£1,200 | Propshaft and gearbox support work required |
| Automatic (4WD) | 10-15 hrs | £800-£1,500 | Transfer box and complex driveshaft arrangement |
| DSG/DCT (FWD) | 8-12 hrs | £650-£1,200 | Specialist knowledge and tools required |
| DSG/DCT (4WD) | 10-15 hrs | £800-£1,500 | Very complex - specialist only |
| CVT (FWD) | 7-10 hrs | £550-£1,000 | Specialist knowledge required |
| Transfer box (4WD) | 4-8 hrs | £350-£800 | Fitted to many 4WD vehicles |
Labour rates vary by region. Independent specialists charge £65-£160/hour. Main dealers charge £90-£220/hour.
What other owners actually paid
These anonymised examples are based on real quote requests submitted through Engines Market in 2025. [EM-QUOTE]
| Vehicle | Gearbox | Year | Condition | Fitted Cost | Warranty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | 5-speed manual | 2014 | Used | £900 | 3 months | Clutch replaced at same time. |
| Ford Focus | 6-speed manual | 2012 | Recon | £1,600 | 12 months | Full recondition with new clutch. |
| VW Golf | 6-speed manual | 2011 | Recon | £1,800 | 12 months | New clutch and dual-mass flywheel. |
| BMW 320d | 6-speed manual | 2014 | Recon | £2,200 | 12 months | Specialist BMW gearbox rebuild. |
| BMW 330d | 6-speed auto (ZF 6HP) | 2016 | Recon | £3,200 | 12 months | Mechatronic unit replaced. |
| Audi A4 | 6-speed DSG (DQ250) | 2012 | Recon | £4,500 | 12 months | Mechatronic and clutch packs replaced. |
| Range Rover Sport | 8-speed auto (ZF 8HP) | 2015 | Recon | £4,800 | 12 months | Full ZF specialist rebuild. |
| Mercedes E-Class | 7-speed auto (7G-Tronic) | 2012 | Recon | £3,800 | 12 months | Torque converter and valve body. |
| Nissan Qashqai | CVT (JF015E) | 2015 | Recon | £3,500 | 12 months | Specialist CVT rebuild. |
| Ford Transit | 6-speed manual | 2018 | Recon | £2,200 | 12 months | Heavy-duty recondition. |
[EM-QUOTE] All quotes are anonymised from real Engines Market submissions. Prices are ex VAT. Always verify with your chosen supplier.
10 questions to ask your gearbox supplier
Get a full written breakdown. Ask about: gearbox supply, fitting, fluid, clutch (manual), torque converter (auto), mechatronic, and testing.
Ask about: warranty length, parts vs parts and labour, exclusions, mileage limit, and how to claim.
If replacing a manual gearbox, ask if the clutch and DMF are included. It's recommended to replace these while the gearbox is out.
For automatic gearboxes, ask if the torque converter is included. Many recon units exclude this.
For automatic and DSG gearboxes, ask if the control unit is included. This is often a significant extra cost.
Gearbox fluid is expensive and must be the correct spec. Ask if it's included and what brand/type is used.
Get a realistic estimate. Manual FWD typically takes 1-2 days; auto/DSG 4WD takes 2-4 days.
Some gearboxes require specialist knowledge and tools. Ask about their experience with your specific gearbox.
Get everything in writing before agreeing. The scope of work, cost, timeline, and warranty terms should all be documented.
During fitting, other issues may be discovered (worn mounts, drive shafts, etc.). Ask how these are handled.
Common questions about gearbox replacement
How much does gearbox replacement cost in the UK- +
What's the difference between reconditioned and used gearboxes- +
Should I replace the clutch when replacing a manual gearbox- +
How long does gearbox replacement take- +
What's the labour rate for gearbox replacement- +
Should I use an independent specialist or a main dealer- +
What's the most reliable gearbox type- +
How do I know if my gearbox needs replacing or repairing- +
What's the most common gearbox type in the UK- +
Do I need to tell my insurer about a replacement gearbox- +
What's the most common gearbox failure- +
Should I rebuild or replace my gearbox- +
What's the difference between DSG and automatic- +
How often should I change gearbox fluid- +
Explore more gearbox cost information
Gearbox failure is expensive, but you have options across used, reconditioned, and new. Compare prices from UK specialists to save hundreds.
Based on 24,650 real UK gearbox quotes in 2025 · Engines Market is a comparison platform - we connect you with suppliers, we do not supply or fit gearboxes.