How long will a used truck gearbox last?

Used truck gearboxes are one of our most popular products. We can deliver them all over the world to be used immediately or stored as backups.

We are often asked about the longevity of used truck gearboxes by our customers, who are usually sceptical about them, so we thought we’d write an article about the same to help you decide whether or not buying used is the right option for you.

The factors affecting truck gearbox longevity

The longevity of a gearbox depends on:

1. How it has been used;

2. What kind of driving it has witnessed, and;

3. Whether it has been maintained. 

Also factor in that all gearboxes are mass-produced components (so no two are exactly the same), and you can understand why some gearboxes will fail after just 30,000 kilometres while others will last well over 300,000 kilometres.

So how long will a used truck gearbox last?

Used truck gearboxes will last in excess of 100,000 kilometres, so long as they have been maintained and are maintained by the new owner.

From a failure perspective, the most common reason for failure is a lack of fresh fluid supply and low quality fluid top ups. Manual and automatic gearboxes need a steady supply of transmission fluid to reduce wear and ensure they perform effectively; if a gearbox runs on worn fluid, then there’s a strong possibility of it failing over time. 

How can I be sure a used gearbox has been maintained?

The Trucks that we break usually come with a service history and this will detail the level of care that the truck has received over its lifetime. 

The service history will list transmission fluid changes or any other work performed on the transmission. When you contact us to enquire about a used gearbox we will refer to the truck’s service history. Most automatic and manual gearboxes will have had a fluid change every 40,000 kilometres, depending on use. If we have gearboxes in stock that do not come with a service history, a running test will be performed if possible, however most will only receive a visual check to ensure there are no leaks or external damages.

Need a used a truck gearbox? Ask M. W. Truck Parts

We have a wide range of used ZF and Volvo gearboxes in stock today. Call us on 01262 601600 to enquire about our latest range. If you have found the gearbox you need on our website, then please write down its MWTP reference number for example TGCGME-T-001.