Before you even start, have a plan
In our blog post “Don’t Buy Used Engines Online Before You Read This” we commented that before you start looking for the best place to buy a used engine online, it is essential to have a strategy. Well, the same reasoning applies when you are looking to buy a used transmission.
When you buy used transmissions online, it is even more important to follow a plan than when you buy used engines. Why? Simple, because the same engine may be available with different transmissions depending on your vehicle’s make, model, and year. This is most common in SUVs aimed at the off-road enthusiast crowd, but it also often happens in sports sedans that are available with AWD (all-wheel-drive) or FWD (front-wheel drive) transmissions.
That said, in the following sections, we explain three simple steps to ensure you buy the best quality used transmission online.
1. Finding relevant vehicle data
The first step is to gather the necessary information about your vehicle. Due to the reasons explained in the previous section, it is crucial that you do not skip this step as you may end up buying a used transmission that is not compatible with your vehicle.
In this regard, our recommendation to make sure you buy the right used transmission is to locate the VIN of your car. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is an alphanumeric code of up to 17 digits that is unique to each vehicle. This code is used, among other things, to extract information about the type of transmission originally installed in each vehicle. In particular, digits 4 to 8 serve to indicate the model, body type, transmission type, and engine installed on your car.
The VIN is usually located on the lower-left corner of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel. However, you can sometimes find the VIN on the driver’s side door jamb if the car is newer. Additionally, the VIN should appear on the vehicle’s title (DMV) records and your car’s insurance policy. Check out this helpful guide if you need more help locating your VIN.
Once you take note of your car’s VIN, we recommend that you have your car’s year, make, model, and trim level, as well as the drivetrain information that appears in your owner manual.
2. Tips for buying used transmissions online
Now that you have the VIN and basic information about your vehicle at hand, it’s time to search for quality used transmissions for sale. However, you should be clear about the parameters you should pay attention to during such a search. For your convenience, our team of experts has prepared a series of practical tips on what to look for when buying used transmissions online.
Shipping and handling. This is an aspect that many people overlook. Buying a used transmission online is not the same as buying spark plugs or an air filter. Moving a transmission requires planning as it is a heavy and bulky part. For this reason, we recommend that you prefer sellers who offer to take care of shipping and handling.
Car mileage. Reputable sites include a great deal of information regarding the transmissions they have for sale. This includes the mileage and even the VIN of the vehicle from which the transmission was removed. Ideally, you should choose transmissions with less than 100,000 miles of use. This is because the average life of transmission is estimated to be approximately 200,000 miles. With the VIN, you can additionally access a vehicle history report online. The history report should include the advertised mileage, maintenance records, and more.
Warranty. You should also consider the warranty offered by the seller when buying used transmissions online. There is little point in getting quality used transmissions if it does not have a warranty that protects you against defects. In this sense, the warranty period can also indicate the seller’s confidence in their products. For example, a vendor that offers a 6 month or 1-year warranty is certainly more reliable than one that only offers a 90-day warranty. Given the cost of labor and the importance of the part, we recommend always getting a warranty. In the long run, it will offset the cost of unexpected repairs.
3. Where to buy quality used transmissions
At this point, you should already have a list of places where you can buy a used transmission suitable for your vehicle. The logical question is, how do you select the best one?
While there is no foolproof way to determine your best option, you can narrow down your choices based on the following criteria.
Private seller or established business. It stands to reason that you will find results from both private sellers and established businesses during your research. Generally, it is much more reliable to buy from businesses specializing in selling auto parts. Not only do they provide a better warranty, but they can also assist you through the process.
Price. Undoubtedly, price is a determining factor in your decision. However, since the transmission is such an important part of your car, we suggest you have a clear idea of what is included in the price advertised by the seller. To make a fair comparison between your alternatives, you should ask yourself questions: Do all sellers include shipping and handling? What warranty do they offer for the transmission? What is the mileage of the transmission? Depending on your budget, the best way to choose a quality used transmission is to prefer the options with lower mileage and better warranty, including shipping & handling, even if that means paying a little more.
Reputation. Whether you decide to buy from a private seller or from a business specializing in used parts, we suggest that you invest sufficient time in researching the seller’s reputation. The time invested in this simple step can save you a lot of headaches.
At buyusedenginesandtransmissions.com we offer a wide variety of quality OEM used engines and transmissions. We meticulously inspect every used engine before shipping. Plus they all come with a generous 1-year warranty! Make no mistake, if you are looking for the best transmissions online, buyusedenginesandtransmissions.com is your best choice.