Get quotes for a used or replacement Mercedes-Benz A-Class differential. Genuine second hand parts from UK vehicle dismantlers - free request, breakers with stock reply direct.
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Used differentials vary between vehicles - and whether you call it used, second hand or a replacement, matching the right one matters. These are the details breakers need to match the right part to your car - our request form asks them so you only hear from suppliers with the correct part:
Both years sit within the W168 generation (1997–2004), though you should check whether your 2002 car falls before the 2001 facelift cut-off and whether the 2005 donor is actually a W169 (the second generation, which ran from 2004–2012) — if so, these are different platforms entirely and the differential will not interchange. The engine code is the critical detail here: a donor with a matching engine code is a far stronger indicator of compatibility than the model year alone. Confirm the exact fit with the breaker against both registration numbers before buying.
No — the W169 (2004–2012) and W176 (2012–2018) are entirely separate generations with different drivetrains, subframe geometry, and differential arrangements, so these parts are not interchangeable. Always match the generation first, then narrow down by engine code, which is the single most reliable guide to differential compatibility. Confirm the specific part numbers with the breaker against your registration.
Trim level — whether SE, Sport, AMG Line, or any other — does not determine differential fitment; what matters is the engine code, fuel type, gearbox type (manual or automatic), and year within the generation. A differential from an SE car with a matching engine code is mechanically the same unit as one from an AMG Line car with that same code, so do not pay extra or restrict your search based on trim. Bear in mind that ancillary brackets or mounting hardware can vary mid-production, so confirm the exact spec against your registration with the breaker.
Yes, absolutely — the engine code (found on your V5C or via a VIN check) tells the breaker exactly which variant of the W169 platform your car is, which determines the differential spec far more precisely than the year alone. Two 2008 A-Class cars with different engine codes — say a petrol and a diesel — will not share the same differential. Always supply your engine code when requesting a quote from a breaker.
The W176 ran from 2012 to 2018, with a facelift in 2015, and while many mechanical components carried across that boundary, differential specifications can vary by engine code and gearbox type within a generation, so you cannot assume a pre-facelift unit will simply bolt in. Name the boundary to your breaker — pre-2015 versus post-2015 — and ask them to cross-reference both registration numbers to check for any mid-production ancillary or mounting changes. Matching engine codes on both donor and recipient car remains the strongest starting point.
Yes — fuel type directly affects which engine is fitted, and the engine code governs the differential specification, so a differential from a petrol A-Class will generally not be a straight swap into a diesel one, even within the same generation and year. Gearbox type (manual versus automatic) is equally important, as this influences how drive is transmitted through the differential. Give the breaker your engine code, fuel type, and gearbox type alongside your registration for the most accurate match.