Thread: What is a 'reasonable' life for a gearbox?

I have a 55 plate Renault Megane Estate, with a warranty that expired last November. I have just been told that the gearbox needs to be replaced. The car has been maintained, has a full service history, and has only 64,000 on the clock. The heaviest load carried has been three bicycles. If it was in good working order the book value would be circa £4,500. I have been advised that the cost of a replacement gearbox, which can apparently only come from Renault for the model I have, is £2,300 plus labour plus VAT.

The Sale of Goods Act has not been mentioned and, in fairness, the Dealer has agreed to make a case to Renault to see if I can obtain a contribution towards the cost of repair. Even with a contribution its going to be expensive, and quite possibly not worth the effort or cost. But I'd have expected a car to last more than 4 years with no major mechanical problems like this!

From what little I know of the SOGA 1979 I have six years in which to make a claim and I need to be able to demonstrate that the durability has not met reasonable standards? What is 'reasonable' for a gearbox? Less than 4 years does not feel reasonable and anyone I've spoken to agrees, but I can't find any kind of objective test/measure? Can anyone advise?

Many thanks

Thanks Conniff.

I took it in with the request to investigate the noise, which has got progressively worse over about six weeks from a barely detectable 'hum' in the front of the car to something that sounds like an old diesel with no exhaust throughout the car and to passers by. Checked the exhaust, twice, and alarm bells rang as noise completely disappears when clutch is depressed. The gearbox is manual. Garage told me that the problem is with the bearings and that the noise indicates a serious problem which would require a replacement gearbox (at the time I was about to go on holiday and was told that a couple of hundred miles may be ok but it was a risk to go any further. Spain was not an option!).

Thanks for getting back to me anyway, and for the info on your neighbour's Volvo

did they check the duel mass flywheel.
connif would it be a volvo 940 mine had 223,000 miles on it and had 3 clutches.
i would say a gearbox in this day and age should be good for 150,000 miles or even a 100,000 if you wanted to be tight.

Thanks Craig8661

Generally manufacturers prove out boxes to 150K miles. Well thats what I used to sign off. As Conniff says, what box and why?
If your garage can get a contribution from Renault then all well and good but weigh up the costs.

If it is just the bearings then you should be able to have it rebuilt for just around £500 plus labour and that's being generous (also assuming it's manual).

My Saxo box is just being overhauled at 150K miles and that's just because one bearing whines when hot and drives me nuts. £340 plus Mr Darlings bit and labour.

Forget SOGA, nowhere to go on that but if you did persue I'm sure it would cost a dammed sight more than the repair!!

Thanks Heliosuk! This is very helpful and much appreciated

Got mine back today at a fitted cost of £800 all in and sweet as a nut again.

If you look around you can get the job done properly. The high mileages quoted above are not unusual in a rear wheel drive vehicle where the differential is seperated . FWD or Four wheel drive are totally different kettles of fish so to speak.

Thanks Heliosuk. I negotiated a 62% contribution from Renault and am now going to get mine replaced for a total of £750. Still an expense that should never have arisen in a car less than 4 years old, but best outcome considering my options and circumstances. And the advice I've had from you and this forum has been invaluable. Many thanks