When it comes to spare parts for cars, bakkies and trucks the gearbox is one of the most sought after. There are really only two types of second-hand gearboxes available anywhere in the world, good gearboxes and bad gearboxes. Anyone looking for a replacement gearbox needs a gearbox that works well, replacing a damaged gearbox with an equally unreliable gearbox is not what you want.
Three Levels of Gearbox
When you are hunting around for a gearbox in South Africa you are left with three options. The first option, and nearly always the most expensive is, of course, the new gearbox. From basic Fords and VWs to highly complex BMW, Mercedes and even Porsche gearboxes you can order a brand-new gearbox with ease, provided you can afford it. Most people cannot afford or justify the cost of a new gearbox and they have no alternative but to opt for a used a gearbox.
Reconditioned Gearboxes
The term used gearbox sounds better than second hand and has two options. He first is that of a reconditioned gearbox. A reconditioned gearbox is one that has been stripped down and rebuilt while replacing or repairing small components along the way. With a reconditioned gearbox you are getting an almost new gearbox that comes with a warranty and some form of guarantee. Such gearboxes give tremendous peace of mind and are good for many kilometres. There are many places that sell reconditioned gearboxes, and a quick Google will bring up a list from all over South Africa. Some suppliers specialise in certain gearboxes such as BMW or Isuzu and others supply a wide variety of.
Used Gearboxes
A true used gearbox is one that has been taken out of one vehicle and is ready to be placed into another. There are countless numbers of second-hand gearboxes for sale throughout South Africa. Where you choose to get your second hand or used gearbox from is entirely up to you. You can buy from a private seller, and this has a host of complications, concerns and potential pitfalls. Buying from Joe Public on Gumtree gives you little or no guarantee the gearbox actually works. Furthermore, unless you know the seller or have a degree of certainty that the seller is genuine you have no guarantee the gearbox is legal – car crime in SA is very high and chop shops really do exist and their trade is spare parts sold via seemingly genuine private sellers. With a private buyer you are taking a chance but you may get a great deal.
Car Scrappers
Cars are wrecked in accidents every day and there are plenty of car scrappers that sell off undamaged or less-damaged parts. Gearboxes are one thing they can sell and the plus side of buying from a car scrapping company is that you often get a very basic guarantee or warranty. All the paperwork is done correctly, and you can get a great bargain and a really good and reliable gearbox. With plenty of choice and a handful of options, finding your replacement gearbox in South Africa should be straightforward. As long as you have done your homework you should be fine.