A used Toyota gearbox in South Africa costs anywhere from R1,500 for a Tazz 5-speed manual to R85,000 for a Land Cruiser 200 6-speed automatic. That’s the range. Where your specific model lands depends on three things: whether it’s manual or automatic, whether it’s used / reconditioned / brand-new OEM, and how plentiful donor units are in the SA scrap-yard network. This guide sets out indicative price ranges for 11 popular Toyota models, aligned with the listed ranges on our gearboxes-for-sale page where we list that unit — not Toyota’s official price list, which they don’t publish — plus install labour rates, where to source units, and the red flags to watch for.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Key Finding | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | R1,500 to R250,000 across the Toyota range | Tazz manuals are the cheapest; Land Cruiser 200 new OEM is the most expensive |
| Cheapest Models | Tazz, Etios and RunX manuals; Corolla and Yaris manuals from R7,500 used | These are the high-supply manual transaxles — sourced from abundant donor cars |
| Most Expensive | Land Cruiser AB60F, Hilux 2.8 AC60F, Fortuner GD-6 | Heavy-duty 4x4 autos run R28,000-R85,000 used and R150,000+ for new OEM |
| Auto vs Manual Premium | Autos cost 40-80% more than equivalent manuals | On the Hilux the 6-speed auto costs about double the manual at the midpoints of our listed ranges |
| Used vs Recon vs New | Recon adds R3,000-R8,000 over used | New OEM from dealer runs 3-5x recon — special order only |
| Install Labour | R5,000-R18,000 on top of the part | Workshop rates R1,200-R1,500/hr in major cities (Bidvest Insurance) |
| Where to Buy | Scrap yards, reconditioners, dealers, marketplaces | Each has a clear best-fit scenario — covered below |
How Much Does a Toyota Gearbox Cost in 2026?
Across the full Toyota range, here are the price bands to know. Indicative ranges only, not quotes; prices vary by condition, mileage, supplier and labour rate.
| Option | Price Range (ZAR) | What You Get | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used (high-mileage) | R1,500 - R22,000 | Stripped from a donor car, often sold “voetstoots” | Ask the seller in writing |
| Used (low-mileage / tested) | R2,000 - R30,000 | Seller claims lower km and testing | Ask the seller in writing |
| Reconditioned | R3,500 - R55,000 | Stripped, inspected, worn parts replaced, tested before sale | Ask the reconditioner in writing |
| New OEM (Toyota dealer) | R80,000 - R250,000 | Genuine Toyota part, special order, VIN-specific quote | Confirm with the dealer |
| Install labour only | R5,000 - R18,000 | Workshop fitting on top of the gearbox cost | Ask the workshop |
| Tow-in and diagnostic | R850 - R5,000 | Workshop diagnosis before any work begins | N/A |
According to Bidvest Insurance’s repair-cost guide, workshop labour rates in major SA cities typically range from R1,200 to R1,500 per hour, and gearbox repairs often take 8-20 hours of work. That means the labour bill on a gearbox job can rival the cost of the gearbox itself.
Watch Out: Quotes That Look Too Cheap
If a private marketplace listing prices a Hilux 6-speed auto at R12,000 when our gearboxes page lists the AC60F at R28,000-R48,000, assume the unit is damaged, locked up, or stolen. Prices more than 50% below the market median almost always have a hidden problem. The cheap option becomes the expensive option when you pay twice.
Toyota Gearbox Prices by Model
This is the model-by-model breakdown. Indicative ranges only, not quotes; prices vary by condition, mileage, supplier and labour rate. Where our gearboxes page lists a unit, the used ranges below match its listed prices; recon cells for those units say “Quote only”.
| Model | Used Manual | Used Auto | Recon Manual | Recon Auto | New OEM (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilux | R14,000 - R24,000 | R22,000 - R48,000 | Quote only | Quote only | R80,000 - R180,000 |
| Corolla | R7,500 - R14,000 | R9,500 - R17,000 | Quote only | R9,500 - R17,000 | R45,000 - R95,000 |
| Fortuner | R14,000 - R24,000 | R22,000 - R48,000 | Quote only | Quote only | R90,000 - R200,000 |
| Quantum | R8,000 - R18,000 | R11,000 - R20,000 | R10,950 - R22,000 | Quote only | R65,000 - R140,000 |
| Tazz | R1,500 - R3,500 | Not available | R3,500 - R5,500 | Not available | Not available (discontinued 2006) |
| Etios | R2,700 - R5,500 | Manual-only | R4,000 - R7,500 | Manual-only | R35,000 - R55,000 |
| Land Cruiser | R9,500 - R25,000 | R32,000 - R85,000 | R19,500 - R35,000 | Quote only | R150,000 - R250,000 |
| RunX | R3,500 - R5,500 | R4,500 - R9,000 | R5,500 - R9,500 | R9,500 - R14,000 | Discontinued — no OEM |
| Yaris | R7,500 - R14,000 | R9,500 - R17,000 | Quote only | Quote only | R40,000 - R65,000 |
| Avanza | R2,000 - R6,500 | R6,500 - R12,000 | R4,500 - R9,500 | R12,000 - R18,000 | R45,000 - R75,000 |
| Hi-Ace | R5,500 - R12,000 | R11,000 - R20,000 | R4,950 - R14,000 | R12,000 - R20,000 | R55,000 - R120,000 |
Good to Know: New OEM Prices Are Estimates
Toyota SA does not publish gearbox prices in any retail catalogue — the dealer system requires a VIN-keyed quote referencing your specific vehicle. The new OEM bands above are rough orientation figures only, not quotes. Always get a quote from your dealer before budgeting.
Why the Hilux and Fortuner Cost the Same
Look at the table above and the Hilux and Fortuner ranges are almost identical. That’s because they share the R150F and R151F manual gearboxes and the AC60E (2WD) and AC60F (4WD) 6-speed automatics. Same parts catalogue, same supply chain, same prices. A Hilux GD-6 6-speed manual will physically bolt into a Fortuner GD-6 of the same engine. The price difference you see in some listings is usually about condition or seller markup, not the part itself.
Where Tazz, Corolla, and RunX Bunch Up
Tazz, older Corolla (E110-E150), RunX, and to a lesser extent Yaris and Avanza all use Toyota’s mass-market 5-speed manual transaxle family — C56, C59, C60. Donor supply is enormous because these cars were sold in huge volumes, so prices stay cheap: a used Tazz 5-speed manual sits in the R1,500-R3,500 indicative range above, the cheapest gearbox replacement option in the Toyota lineup.
Manual vs Automatic — The Real Price Premium
Across the Toyota range, automatic gearboxes cost 40-80% more than the equivalent manual. The premium widens dramatically on heavy-duty 4x4 units:
- Hilux: the AC60F 6-speed auto (2.8 GD-6) is listed on our gearboxes page at R28,000-R48,000, versus R14,000-R24,000 for the R150F/R151F 5-speed manual — about double at the midpoints.
- Land Cruiser 200 / 79 V8: the AB60F 6-speed auto is listed at R45,000-R85,000 — the most expensive Toyota gearbox we list.
- Corolla / RunX / Yaris: the premium narrows to 30-50% because the U340E 4-speed auto is simpler, lighter, and almost as plentiful as the manuals.
Three things drive the automatic premium: the torque converter is a separate sub-assembly (often sold loose for R3,500-R8,500 if missing), the valve body is a complex hydraulic component that fails more often, and modern autos (AC60F, AB60F, U340E later models) require ECU/TCM coding to communicate with the vehicle — a mismatched unit simply won’t work. If you have the choice and your use case allows it, a manual gearbox is always the cheaper repair path. For commercial and 4x4 vehicles where the auto was original equipment, swapping to a manual is rarely worth the conversion cost.
For early diagnostic methods that can save you a full gearbox replacement entirely, see our guide on identifying Toyota transmission problems early.
New vs Used vs Reconditioned — Which to Choose
Three options, three different risk-cost profiles. Here is how to choose between them.
Used (Scrap-Yard) Units
Best for: Tazz, Corolla, RunX, Yaris, Avanza and older Etios where stock is plentiful and the unit price is low enough that a swap-out is cheaper than rebuilding.
- Pros: cheapest option, often 40-70% below recon pricing, immediately available from JHB and CPT yards.
- Cons: warranty terms vary (get them in writing), mileage claims often unverifiable, no dyno-testing.
- Indicative price spread: R1,500 (Tazz manual) upwards; used Land Cruiser autos are listed at R32,000-R85,000.
Reconditioned Units
Best for: Hilux, Fortuner, Quantum, Land Cruiser, Prado — any vehicle you intend to keep long term where reliability matters more than the lowest possible price.
A reconditioned gearbox has been stripped, every wearing part inspected, worn synchros and bearings replaced, then reassembled and bench-tested (the best shops dyno-test). Look for RMI accreditation and a written warranty before paying a deposit.
- Pros: a written warranty to ask for, known internal condition.
- Cons: R3,000-R8,000 more than used, top reconditioners don’t publish prices (phone-quote only), waiting list can be a week.
- Indicative price spread: R3,500 (Tazz exchange unit) upwards; the AB60F tops our listed range at R85,000.
New OEM From the Toyota Dealer
Best for: vehicles still inside the Toyota warranty period, finance-encumbered cars where the bank or insurer demands genuine parts, and one-off rare units (CVT, AB60F, A750F) where the used market is thin.
- Pros: full Toyota warranty, factory-fresh, perfect fit and software match.
- Cons: far above recon pricing, special-order wait, no published price list — every quote is VIN-specific.
- Realistic price spread: R35,000 (Etios manual) to R250,000 (Land Cruiser 200 AB60F).
For comprehensive specifications and known issues that affect gearbox longevity across the Toyota range, our guide on how automatic transmissions work explains why some units fail and others run to 300,000 km.
Where to Buy a Toyota Gearbox in South Africa
Four channels exist for sourcing a Toyota gearbox. Each has a clear best-fit use case.
1. Scrap Yards and Dismantlers
Boksburg, Kempton Park, Pretoria West, Johannesburg South, and Strand in the Western Cape host concentrated dismantler clusters. Our two supplier partners are Gemini Parts in Johannesburg (new aftermarket parts) and Caryota Spare in Cape Town (used parts); our Hilux gearbox catalogue and Corolla gearbox catalogue send one quote request to both.
Expect: cash price 40-70% below recon, and warranty or exchange terms that vary by yard — get them in writing. Best for low-cost models where the part-price is low enough that risk is acceptable.
2. Specialist Reconditioners
Several independent SA reconditioners offer service-exchange units. Warranty terms differ between them, so verify RMI accreditation and a serialised warranty certificate before paying.
Expect: R3,000-R8,000 premium over used, a written warranty to ask for, phone-quote only at the top end. Best for vehicles where reliability is non-negotiable.
3. Toyota Dealers (New OEM)
Toyota SA’s dealer network handles genuine new OEM. Pricing requires a dealer quote referencing your VIN — there is no public price list.
Expect: far above recon pricing, special-order delivery, warranty terms set by the dealer. Best for: warranty-period vehicles, finance/insurance requirements, or rare units the used market doesn’t stock.
4. Online Marketplaces and Classifieds
Private SA classifieds dominate the long tail of used listings. Quality is wildly variable — anything from a genuine R3,500 Tazz manual with paperwork to a R12,000 Hilux auto with a bent input shaft.
Expect: the widest price range and the highest risk. Always insist on a 7-day exchange in writing, a VAT invoice for CPA protection, and a physical address you can visit. Avoid sellers who refuse phone calls or won’t state mileage.
Installation & Labour Costs in South Africa
The gearbox is only half the bill. Installation at a South African workshop runs R5,000 to R18,000 on top of the part, broken down roughly as follows. Indicative ranges only, not quotes; prices vary by condition, mileage, supplier and labour rate.
| Job Element | Cost (ZAR) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic and tow-in | R850 - R5,000 | 1-2 hours |
| Drop and remove old gearbox | R2,500 - R6,000 | 2-4 hours |
| Fit new/recon gearbox | R2,500 - R6,000 | 2-4 hours |
| Clutch kit replacement (manual only) | R3,500 - R6,500 | Combined with fitment |
| Torque converter (auto, if not included) | R3,500 - R8,500 | Combined with fitment |
| ECU/TCM coding (modern autos) | R800 - R2,500 | 30-60 minutes |
| Road test and adjustment | R500 - R1,500 | 1 hour |
A complete Hilux manual replacement using a used R150F/R151F (listed at R14,000-R24,000) plus a clutch kit and labour adds up to roughly R22,500-R48,500 all in on the figures above. The same vehicle with a reconditioned 6-speed automatic and a new torque converter can easily reach R55,000-R75,000 all in. For Land Cruiser owners with an AB60F auto (listed at R45,000-R85,000), the all-in figure can approach R100,000 at the top of the range.
Pro Tip: Customer-Supplied Parts
Most independent workshops will fit a customer-supplied gearbox at the same labour rate as one they source themselves, provided the unit comes with a warranty (used or reconditioned) and you provide a VAT invoice. A small minority of workshops either refuse customer-supplied parts or double their labour charge — confirm this in writing before you commit. You can read about our two supplier partners on our About page.
Red Flags to Avoid When Buying a Toyota Gearbox
Twelve warning signs to check before you pay:
- No mileage stated on a used unit — assume 250,000+ km if the seller dodges the question.
- No warranty offered, or “sold voetstoots” on recon-priced units — that’s used pricing dressed up as reconditioned.
- Cash-only with no VAT invoice — kills any consumer-rights claim under the Consumer Protection Act if the unit fails.
- Seller refuses bench-test or video proof — a gearbox sitting on a shelf can have stripped synchros that are invisible to a visual inspection.
- Bundled engine + gearbox sale when you only need the gearbox — usually means the gearbox alone is shot and the seller is using the engine to clear it.
- Price more than 50% below market median — almost always damaged, locked up, or stolen.
- No matching ECU/TCM included on modern autos (AC60F, AB60F, U340E later models) — the gearbox cannot communicate with the vehicle without coding.
- “Imported low-mileage” claim with no JEVIC or import certificate — Japanese and Korean import claims are routinely fabricated.
- Workshop refuses to fit a customer-supplied gearbox, or doubles labour charges if you bring one — find a different workshop.
- No torque converter included with an automatic unit — adds R3,500-R8,500 to the total that wasn’t in the original quote.
- Vague seller location with no physical address — risk of phantom listings on classifieds. Always verify with a phone call to a published landline, not just a cellphone.
- No clutch kit included with a manual unit — almost always sold separately (R3,500-R6,500 for Quantum and Hilux clutch kits), so factor this in upfront.
If you need help sourcing a specific Toyota gearbox, the quote form on our gearboxes-for-sale page goes to both Gemini Parts (JHB, new aftermarket) and Caryota Spare (CPT, used) at once so you can compare — ask each what warranty applies.
FAQ
How much does a Toyota Hilux gearbox cost in South Africa? Our gearboxes page lists the Hilux R150F/R151F 5-speed manual at R14,000-R24,000, the 2.4 GD-6 automatic at R22,000-R38,000 and the AC60F 6-speed automatic (2.8 GD-6) at R28,000-R48,000. New OEM from a Toyota dealer is by VIN-specific quote only (indicatively R80,000-R180,000). Add R5,000-R12,000 for installation labour at a typical SA workshop.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a Toyota gearbox? Repair is cheaper if the damage is isolated to one component — a solenoid pack replacement is R3,500-R7,000 versus R15,000+ for a full replacement on a Corolla. Full replacement makes sense when multiple internal components have failed, when fluid contains heavy metallic particles, or when the gearbox has over 250,000 km. The rule of thumb: if the rebuild quote exceeds 60% of the cost of a reconditioned replacement, replace it.
How long does a Toyota gearbox last? A well-maintained Toyota manual gearbox routinely runs 300,000-400,000 km. Automatics last 200,000-300,000 km with regular fluid changes; CVTs (newer Corolla Quest and Yaris Cross) are more sensitive to fluid quality and abuse. The single biggest predictor of gearbox lifespan is fluid maintenance — change ATF every 60,000 km in SA conditions, not the 80,000-100,000 km Toyota recommends for “normal” conditions.
What is the difference between a reconditioned and a used Toyota gearbox? A used gearbox is stripped from a donor vehicle and sold as-is. A reconditioned gearbox has been disassembled, inspected, worn parts replaced (synchros, bearings, seals, in some cases the torque converter), reassembled, and bench- or dyno-tested. Reconditioned units cost R3,000-R8,000 more than used; ask for the warranty terms in writing.
Can I fit a different model’s gearbox in my Toyota? Sometimes. The R150F and R151F manuals and AC60E/AC60F autos are shared between Hilux and Fortuner of the same engine. The C56/C59/C60 manual transaxles are shared across older Corolla, RunX, Yaris, and (some) Etios variants. Cross-fitment between very different model families is rarely a clean swap — bellhousing patterns, input-shaft splines, propshaft lengths, and electronic coding all need to match. Always check with the supplier before buying.
Do Gemini Parts and Caryota Spare guarantee their gearboxes? Warranty terms are set by each supplier and depend on the part. Gemini Parts (Johannesburg) sells new aftermarket parts and Caryota Spare (Cape Town) sells used parts. Ask each for the warranty terms in writing with your quote, and keep the invoice for any claim.
Where can I get a Toyota gearbox quote? Use the quote form on our gearboxes-for-sale page — it goes to both Gemini Parts and Caryota Spare simultaneously, so you get pricing from JHB and CPT at the same time. You can also call 011 334 1417 (JHB) or 021 903 7039 (CPT) directly.
