Second Hand Hyundai i20 Gearbox

The first-generation i20 ran from 2008 to 2014, and the second generation (GB) launched in 2014, so a 2015 unit comes from a completely different generation to a 2013 car — a straight swap is very unlikely. Within the first generation, fitment is driven primarily by engine code rather than year alone, so confirm your engine code from your V5 and give it to the breaker. Never assume cross-generation compatibility without the breaker checking both registrations directly.

The second-generation i20 (GB) covers 2014 to 2020 and received a facelift around 2018, and while many mechanical components carry across the run, ancillary brackets and mounting details can change mid-production even within a generation. Your engine code is the most reliable guide — pull it from your V5 or a VIN check and give it to the breaker so they can match the donor unit precisely. Whether a specific pre-facelift or post-facelift gearbox crosses that 2018 boundary cleanly is something to confirm with the breaker against both registrations.

No — trim level does not affect gearbox fitment on the Hyundai i20; a gearbox from a Classic will not differ mechanically from one out of a Premium of the same engine and gearbox type. What matters is fuel type (petrol or diesel), whether the car is manual or automatic, and above all the engine code from your V5. Do be aware that a donor car from a different trim may have minor cosmetic or ancillary differences, but the core gearbox unit itself is trim-neutral.

'1.4 diesel' is a useful starting point but the engine code is what breakers and their catalogues actually use to confirm compatibility, so it is well worth finding it on your V5 or through a VIN check before you request quotes. Hyundai used more than one variant under similar displacement badges across the i20's production run, and subtle differences in the engine code can mean differences in the gearbox specification. Giving breakers your exact engine code will get you a more confident answer and reduce the risk of ordering a unit that does not fit.

Almost certainly not — the first-generation i20 and the second-generation GB i20 are built on different platforms with different drivetrains, so a gearbox from a pre-2014 car is not expected to be a direct fit for a 2014-onwards model. This is one of those cross-generation boundaries where you should not assume interchangeability without specialist confirmation. Supply both registrations to the breaker and let them check against their stock and catalogues before you commit to a purchase.

Yes, absolutely — manual and automatic gearboxes are completely different units and are not interchangeable, so you must specify your gearbox type when requesting quotes. Beyond that, confirm your engine code from the V5, as this is the detail breakers rely on to ensure the specific manual or automatic unit matches your car. ECU pairing and any coding the replacement gearbox may require to your vehicle is something to raise directly with the breaker before buying.