Mazda 323 Gearbox Replacement Parts

The Mazda 323 ran in its BG generation from 1989 to 1994, then moved into the BA/BH generation from 1994 to 1998, so a 1995 and a 1998 car sit within the same generation — but fitment still depends heavily on the engine code rather than the year alone. Check your V5 or run a VIN check to confirm your engine code, then give that to the breaker so they can match the gearbox to the correct unit. Ancillary and mounting details can change mid-production even within a generation, so always confirm against your registration with the breaker before buying.

Engine code matters above everything else for a gearbox — the 323 was sold with a range of petrol and diesel engines across its production run, and gearboxes are engineered to match the engine, not the badge or year. Two 323s from the same year could have completely different gearboxes if they carry different engine codes. Pull your engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and pass it to the breaker; that single detail will cut out most of the guesswork.

The BG generation ran from 1989 to 1994 and the BA/BH generation from 1994 to 1998, so these are distinct generations with different platforms — crossing that boundary makes a straight swap unlikely. Engine codes changed significantly between generations, so even if the fuel type and gearbox type appear similar, the internals and mounting points may not align. Route this question directly to the breaker with both engine codes and your registration; they are best placed to confirm whether any crossover works.

Trim level does not affect gearbox fitment on the Mazda 323 — the LX, GLX and equivalent trim designations are cosmetic and equipment-level differences, not mechanical ones. What matters is whether the cars share the same engine code, fuel type, and manual or automatic gearbox type. If the engine codes match, the trim name is irrelevant to the breaker; just be aware that ancillary fittings attached to the box may look cosmetically different between trim specifications.

Manual and automatic gearboxes are not interchangeable on the Mazda 323; they are entirely different units designed around different drivetrain layouts, and swapping types involves significant additional work beyond the box itself. A conversion would also affect other components including the ECU, which can involve immobiliser and coding considerations — confirm those specifics with a specialist rather than assuming a like-for-like swap. When contacting a breaker, make sure you specify manual or automatic alongside your engine code and registration to ensure they quote the correct unit.

Different engine displacements within the 323 range typically have different engine codes, and gearboxes are matched to specific engine outputs and configurations, so a 1.5 and a 1.8 unit are unlikely to be a straight swap even though both are petrol. The safest approach is to provide the breaker with your exact engine code — found on your V5 or via a VIN check — alongside the engine code of the donor car so they can compare them properly. Never assume fitment based on fuel type alone; the engine code is the detail that counts.