Cheap Hyundai i30 Gearbox

Both years fall within the second-generation i30 (Mk2, 2012–2017), so they share the same platform, but whether a specific gearbox crosses between a 2012 car and a 2014 post-facelift car depends heavily on the engine code – match that first, as mechanical internals follow the engine code rather than the model year. The Mk2 received a facelift in 2015, and while 2012 and 2014 cars are both pre-facelift, ancillary mounting and bracket differences can still exist mid-production. Always confirm the engine codes on both vehicles match and run the registration past the breaker before buying.

Yes – for a gearbox the engine code is the single most useful detail you can supply, because a gearbox is engineered around the specific engine it was paired with, not the model year or badge. Two i30s from the same year can carry different engine codes and will need completely different gearboxes. You'll find the engine code on your V5C or through a VIN check, and you should give it directly to the breaker when requesting a quote.

Trim level does not affect gearbox fitment on the i30 – S, SE, Premium and SR trims all use the same gearboxes tied to their engine and fuel type, not their specification level. You may receive a gearbox from a car with different interior or exterior details, but that has no bearing on whether it fits your drivetrain. What you must match is engine code, fuel type (petrol or diesel), and whether the car is manual or automatic.

The first-generation i30 (Mk1, 2007–2012) and the second-generation i30 (Mk2, 2012–2017) are different platforms with different engine families, so a direct swap across that generation boundary is very unlikely even if the engine codes sound similar. This is exactly the kind of cross-generation question you need to confirm with the breaker against both registrations before ordering. Never assume compatibility across a generation change.

Yes, it matters completely – a petrol gearbox and a diesel gearbox are not interchangeable even within the same generation, because the gearbox ratios, bell-housing and mounting points are matched to the specific engine. Always supply your exact engine code (for example a 1.6 CRDi diesel will carry a different code to a 1.4 petrol) so the breaker can pull a matching unit. Fitting the wrong fuel-type gearbox will mean it simply will not bolt up correctly.

Some modern gearboxes, particularly automatics and DCTs, can involve electronic pairing or immobiliser considerations that vary by build date and specification. Whether your specific combination requires coding is something you must confirm with the breaker and your fitting garage against your exact registration, as we cannot state this as fact for every variant. Your fitting technician will be best placed to advise once they have both the donor unit and your car's details in front of them.