How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Gearbox?

The gearbox transfers power from the engine to the wheels using different gear ratios. It can cause symptoms such as grinding noises and difficulty shifting gears when it breaks.

This guide explains how to identify common gearbox problems and how much you can expect to pay for a repair.

How much does a gearbox repair cost?

A gearbox repair will typically cost between £200 and £500. The average price on FixMyCar is £285.11.

Repairing a gearbox requires specialist skills, which is one of the reasons it’s often an expensive job. Gearboxes can have several hundred parts, especially modern automatic gearboxes, making them more difficult to rebuild. Parts are expensive, and many hours of work goes into a repair.

Matt Wrankmore

Head of FixMyCar's Garage Network

Factors affecting the price of a repair include:

• Type of gearbox - automatic gearboxes are generally more expensive to repair.

• Extent of damage - more damage usually results in a longer repair time and higher labour costs.

• Labour costs - the labour rate tends to be cheaper in rural areas compared to cities.

• Cost of replacement parts - OEM parts are of higher quality but tend to cost more. The brand also affects the price.

• Car make and model - the type of car you drive and its configuration impact the price.

Manual gearbox repair cost by manufacturer

For an automatic gearbox, the average repair price is £505.15.

Important: The cost of some repairs is difficult to estimate without seeing the vehicle first. If you receive a very low quote price, it may be for an initial diagnostic test to investigate the problem. You can message garages directly on our platform to confirm what’s included in the quoted price.

How much is a new gearbox?

Gearboxes are complex and require a lot of skill and materials to produce. Although they are durable and tend to last a long time, their complexity makes them expensive to replace.

The cost of a brand-new gearbox varies depending on the make and model of the car and the type of gearbox. 

• You can expect to pay between £500 and £3,000 for a new manual gearbox.

• An automatic gearbox replacement could cost anywhere between £1,000 and £5,000. 

Buying one from a main dealer can be pricey, so a garage might be able to source a high-quality reconditioned unit instead to save you money.

How much is a reconditioned gearbox?

The average price of a reconditioned gearbox is £750.94, according to FixMyCar's data.

How does a gearbox work?

The gearbox is an intricate piece of machinery. It transfers power from the engine to the wheels using a set of gears that can be shifted to adjust the speed and torque.

These gears are arranged in various patterns to offer different speeds while maintaining performance. Pushing the clutch pedal disconnects the engine from the wheels, allowing you to change gears.

This guide discusses how automatic cars work and whether they have a clutch.

Warning signs of a gearbox problem

Jumping gears

If your car slips into the top or lowest gear without you telling it to, there may be a problem with the gearbox. Specifically, the transmission fluid may be low or the linkage rod could be worn out.

Noisy while in neutral

If you hear more noise than usual from your car while it's in neutral, check the fluid level and try topping it up. It's also worth checking for a leak, which will require a repair to stop the problem from reoccurring. If topping up the fluid doesn't solve the problem, a likely cause is worn-down gearbox parts.

The engine management light is on

Gearbox trouble can trigger the engine management light. However, this dashboard warning light has many other possible causes, so you should check for additional symptoms that could help you diagnose the problem.

Dragging clutch

A dragging clutch is caused when the flywheel and clutch fail to disengage, making changing gears almost impossible. This gearbox problem will likely be accompanied by a grinding noise emitted every time you try to change gears.

Find out what a flywheel is and what it does in this guide.

If the clutch has too much slack in the pedal, the linkage between the clutch disk and the pedal won't pull the two components apart. Therefore, the linkage needs to be tightened or replaced.

Car won't go into gear

If your car refuses to go into gear or makes a grinding noise when you try to shift gear, there are a few possible causes:

• Low transmission fluid

• A sensor issue

• Clutch linkage or shift cable problem

Burning smell

A burning smell from the bonnet or inside the cabin is a common symptom of a faulty gearbox. It can be caused by oil leaking into the exhaust manifold, the wrong transmission fluid, low fluid and the transmission running hot. Whatever the cause, a burning smell shouldn't be ignored.

Shaking or shuddering

In automatic cars, a shaking or shuddering sensation accompanied by a failure to engage gears, it could be because the torque converter has failed. Shuddering in a manual vehicle is more likely to be caused by a clutch problem.

If you're unsure what's making your car shake, a diagnostic test could help you get to the bottom of the issue.

Leaking transmission fluid

Leaking transmission or gearbox fluid is another common cause of gearbox issues. It can be caused by a worn gasket or seal, a crack in the transmission casing, a faulty drain seal or loose bolts. This guide discusses how to identify and fix leaks.

Whining, clunking or humming noises

Hearing a strange noise from your car is probably the easiest way to know that something isn’t right. Clunking, whining and humming noises are often caused by low gearbox oil, damaged gears or worn out bearings.

Whatever is causing your car's gearbox issues, FixMyCar's Garage Network is here to help.

If you found this guide helpful, you might also like...

• Diagnose car problems & find the right fix

• What is a DSG gearbox?

• What to do if your car breaks down

• Do automatic cars have a clutch?

• What is clutch slipping?

• Top tips for avoiding a breakdown