Why Buy A Used Transmission?

Making economical choices in transmission repair doesn’t necessarily mean used transmissions are the best option.

Whether economic times are good or bad, transmission repairs can make your heart sink as you reach for your wallet. If you’re watching your dollars, and most of us are, you might be thinking that a used transmission is the only way you will be able to save your car to drive another day (or year, or two, or more). Taking the time to find out more about your transmission repair options might change your mind.

Some Facts on Used Transmissions

Used transmissions can be found at auto wreckers. Many of these suppliers offer warranties, usually for a time frame ranging around 30 to 90 days. The main thing to realize is that the transmission they are trying to sell you is out of a vehicle in a wrecking yard.  In other words the transmission is from a vehicle that wasn’t worth fixing.

“Used is never a good idea unless it’s a bailout for the short term,”says Bob McFegan of the Mister Transmission North Vancouver location in British Columbia. “It can take up to ten hours of labour to install it and you don’t know what you’re going to get when you’re done.”

Today’s modern transmissions are computer controlled with an array of sensors throughout the vehicle that relay information to the computer in order to shift the transmission for optimum performance and fuel economy.  If you decide to purchase a used transmission, you need to be sure to purchase one that is the exact model for your vehicle. When or if you find the precise model, it may not ever be precise enough.

Your Used Transmission

At the Mister Transmission location in Whitby, Ontario, Allen Wensink points out an important fact that many of us might not think about when we’re facing transmission repairs: “You already have a used transmission in your vehicle, so why buy another one?” he reasons

Rebuilding the transmission that is giving you so much trouble might seem questionable to you, but if you think about it, someone else’s used transmission raises even more questions. At least when you start with your own used transmission you have a lot more information. You know where it’s been, what it’s been through and who has worked on it. You know the transmission gears are the perfect match for your vehicle. And you know you can make the decision about who works on it now.

Since transmission rebuilds at Mister Transmission repair shops come with a 12-month warranty (which can also be upgraded to 3 or 5 year warranties), you can feel good about investing a little more in your existing transmission.

Most transmission repair shops will also install used transmissions from outside resources, but since they don’t know any more about it than you do, you may find there is no guarantee on either transmission parts or labour.

The Economy of Working with Your Car’s Used Transmission

“It’s usually cheaper to remove the transmission and repair it,” says Jim Hodgson at the Mister Transmission in Peterborough, Ontario. “A used one, you don't know how it's been used, and there are so many variations that there's a possibility of getting the wrong one.”

Rebuilding your original transmission may be the best option, as you know the gear ratios and other components are compatible with your vehicle. Since so many car transmissions are computerized now, this precision is becoming even more important than before. Add in that skilled transmission mechanics may also be able to make adjustments and upgrades that can help your transmission perform even better than before, and why would you look anywhere but under your own hood?

You may not be very happy with your current transmission when it’s taking some of your hard-earned cash, but hey, it’s gotten you this far hasn’t it? The devil you know might just turn out to be the angel you once believed it to be.

If you suspect your vehicle requires a transmission rebuild, please contact your local Mister Transmission and book an appointment for our FREE 21-Point Multi-Check Inspection.