A lot of auto owners will come across this situation at some point: The transmission in your car goes bad when the rest of the car, including the motor, seems to be perfectly fine. This situation can put you in a questionable stance; you don't know whether you should just accept the loss and get a different vehicle or try to find a replacement tranny. It's usually not too hard to find a used transmission someone has for sale that was pulled from a wrecked vehicle but is it ever a good idea to buy a used transmission from an individual? Here's what you need to know.
It can sometimes be a better idea to have your current transmission rebuilt.
In some cases, you can spend less to have the transmission you already have rebuilt instead of buying a used model from a different vehicle. The components that go bad inside of a transmission can usually be replaced, which will essentially give you a new tranny without buying the whole unit. Costs to rebuild a tranny can vary from one model to the next, so it is best to get an estimate for a rebuilt tranny from a mechanic before you make your final decision as to which route would be the best to take.
If you do buy a used transmission from an individual, have it checked first.
If you think buying a used tranny is a good idea and an individual has the unit for a good price, it is always for the best if you bring in the professional advice of a transmission repair mechanic before you hand over your money. The mechanic can take a look at the transmission and let you know if there are any obvious signs that the unit is not in the best shape or has not been well maintained.
It is always better to buy a used transmission from a licensed dealer.
You can actually get your hands on used Volvo transmissions through a lot of auto parts suppliers. You may have to pay a little more for a used transmission from a reputable supplier, but the fact of the matter is, these transmissions are usually assessed and checked before they can be sold. Plus, a reputable auto parts dealer will probably give you a warranty on the purchase, which is not something you are going to get from the majority of individual sellers.