Used Mercedes-Benz GLA Differential

The GLA has run across two main generations: the X156 (2013–2020, facelifted in 2017) and the X247 (2020-onwards), and a differential from one generation will not cross to the other due to fundamental platform and drivetrain differences. Within the X156, the 2017 facelift brought some running changes, so whether a pre-facelift diff fits a post-facelift car in the same engine family is something you should confirm with the breaker against your registration – name the boundary and let them verify. Your engine code, found on your V5 or via a VIN check, is the single most useful detail to give them.

The badge on the boot matters less than the engine code underneath, because Mercedes used different engines across these variants – a GLA 220d diesel and a GLA 200 petrol will have entirely different drivetrain requirements. Pull the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and pass it directly to the breaker, who can match the donor car's code to yours. Never assume badge-to-badge compatibility on mechanical driveline parts.

Trim levels like SE, Sport, and AMG Line are primarily cosmetic and equipment packages; they do not change the differential specification on the GLA. What governs the diff is the engine code, fuel type (petrol or diesel), and whether the car is front-wheel drive or 4MATIC – confirm which drivetrain your car has, as a 4MATIC model uses a rear differential that an FWD model simply does not have. Give the breaker your engine code and drivetrain type and ignore the trim badge entirely.

No – a front-wheel-drive GLA does not have a rear differential at all, whereas the 4MATIC uses an additional rear diff as part of its all-wheel-drive system, making the two cars fundamentally different mechanically. You must match the donor car's drivetrain layout to your own; sourcing a 4MATIC rear diff only makes sense if your car is itself a 4MATIC. Confirm the exact 4MATIC variant and engine code with the breaker to ensure the ratios and coupling type align.

The X156 GLA was facelifted in 2017, so a 2016 car is pre-facelift and a 2018 car is post-facelift; Mercedes made production changes across that boundary that may or may not affect differential compatibility depending on exact build dates and engine codes. The engine code is your best starting point – if the donor car shares the same code as yours, the mechanical core is likely similar, but ancillary or mounting changes mid-production mean you should confirm the specific interchange with the breaker against both registrations before buying.

Give the breaker your engine code (stamped on the engine block and listed on your V5), your model year, your fuel type, and critically whether your GLA is front-wheel drive or 4MATIC – this last point is essential as the two layouts are mechanically unrelated on this car. If you have your full VIN, even better, as the breaker can decode the exact build specification. Whether the donor diff will need any ECU or electronic coupling coding to your car is something to raise directly with the breaker rather than assume.