Transmissions for Sale

All vehicles will eventually suffer from transmission failure. The internal components of modern transmissions are designed with a long service life in mind, but transmissions will eventually fail due to a combination of age and mileage. The decision to replace a vehicle’s transmission is an expensive proposition but can be cost effective compared to replacing the entire vehicle in many situations.

What are the benefits of replacing a transmission?

The transmission is an integral part of a vehicle’s drivetrain. A mechanically unsound transmission will often cause a loss of power and fuel economy. Replacing a transmission will result in restored vehicle performance, reliability and help improve fuel economy. A replacement transmission will often pay for itself over time as the vehicle will regain much of the lost reliability that comes with age and high mileage. This may allow an extended service life for the vehicle and result in a financial cost savings over purchasing a new vehicle.

What replacement transmission options are available?

Replacement transmissions are available for almost any vehicle on the market. There are a variety of options available when deciding where to source your new transmission. Used transmissions can often be sourced from local salvage yards or acquired from a private party in local classified advertising. Refurbished transmissions are frequently available from auto parts stores, local transmission repair shops and online retailers that specialize in transmission sales and service. New transmissions can be found by ordering directly from the vehicle manufacturer from the service desk of any local dealership.

Which purchase option is the best?

Purchasing a used transmission will often represent the lowest financial cost. However, used transmissions are typically provided without a warranty or guarantee of any kind. This is a risk since you may not know the full history of the used transmission such as how it was used and for how many miles. Refurbished transmissions are generally slightly more expensive than used transmissions but frequently come with a warranty that covers the transmission for a specified number of miles or a specific timeframe. Purchasing a new transmission is the most expensive option, but the transmission will come with a full manufacturer’s warranty and should have the longest service life of any of the other options.

Should a replacement transmission be purchased online or locally?

Online transmission retailers frequently work in high volume sales environments. Due to their low cost of business and high volume sales, these companies can provide discount pricing compared to local retailers. Transmissions are shipped via freight carrier to your door or to a local transmission shop for installation in the vehicle. This added freight shipping charge may make the cost comparable to simply purchasing locally. Careful research and price comparison is recommended in order to make sure you get the best deal on a replacement transmission.

What does one do with a transmission after purchasing it?

Acquiring a replacement transmission is only the first step in the process. After the new transmission is acquired, it must be installed in the vehicle. There are essentially two options available for getting a replacement transmission installed—self install or shop install. Installing a transmission on your own requires a great deal of mechanical aptitude but is well within the scope of what most home mechanics can do if they have the time, tools and patience. This is the most cost effective option only if you already have the necessary equipment to perform the transmission replacement.

The most common solution is to have a transmission shop install the replacement transmission. Pricing will vary greatly from shop to shop and careful price comparison should be done prior to selecting a shop to complete the installation. It is also advisable to inquire about whether or not the installation itself carries a warranty and for how long that warranty is valid. Many reputable shops will guarantee their installation services and work with the transmission provider if there is a problem with the replacement transmission.