How Much Should I Pay for a Rebuilt Transmission? Tips on Getting the Best Estimate

How Much Should I Pay for a Rebuilt Transmission? Tips on Getting the Best Estimate

If your car’s transmission is giving you trouble, the first thought that might cross your mind is how much that trouble’s going to cost you. After all, transmissions aren’t cheap – so how can you be sure that you’re getting the best estimate possible?

Wondering how much you should pay for a rebuilt transmissions? Take a look at these tips on getting the best estimate; they’ll ensure that you walk away with a newly functioning transmission without spending an arm and a leg.

Be as Descriptive as Possible. The more you can tell your mechanic about what’s wrong with your car, the more likely it is that he or she will be able to diagnose the problem right away. You don’t even have to be a car expert to describe what’s wrong with your transmission. Tell your transmission repair expert about any sounds and sensations that you’ve been experiencing.

You may feel like you’re not making much sense, but trust us – your transmission repair expert can make sense out of what you’re saying!

Request a Diagnostic. If your mechanic isn’t able to diagnose the problem the first time around, he or she may request a diagnostic test. This may sound expensive and time-consuming, but it’s actually extremely simple. The diagnostic test is a fast process that gives the mechanic a concrete idea of what’s wrong with your transmission. This is usually delivered in the form of an error code, which the mechanic then uses to pinpoint the specific problem.

Your diagnostic test should be free – and if it’s not, take your car to another transmission repair expert, pronto.

Be Understanding. There may be times where the diagnostic test doesn’t give your mechanic an accurate idea of what’s going on with your car. If that’s the case, your mechanic will need to actually remove the transmission from your car to get an accurate idea about pricing.

If this happens, don’t assume that the transmission repair expert is trying to rip you off. In fact, this is often a sign that your mechanic is trying to give you the most fair and accurate price as possible. Should the mechanic need to remove the transmission, expect between $500 to $1000. This should determine the exact problem with your vehicle.

What’s the Final Cost? Transmissions are not cheap; therefore, it’s in your best interest to expect to pay $1000+ when your transmission needs to be repaired or rebuilt. Most transmission repairs average between $1400 to $1800 considering the year, make and model of your vehicle. Economy cars and older vehicles will tend to be less expensive while SUVs and luxury cars will usually cost much more.

However, now that you know how much a transmission repair should actually cost, you’ll be in a better place to ensure that you’re not getting ripped off. Make sure your mechanic walks you through every step of the process, as this can help you get a better understanding of why these costs can be so high.

Use these tips to get the best estimate for your rebuilt transmission!