Used Mercedes-Benz GLA Gearbox

The GLA first generation (X156) ran from 2014 to 2019, so a 2015 and a 2018 are within the same generation, which is a promising start. Fitment is driven primarily by engine code rather than year alone, so you need to match the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check to the donor vehicle's code. Because Mercedes did make running production changes during the X156's life, confirm with the breaker whether any ancillary or mounting differences apply to your specific registration before buying.

No — the first-generation GLA (X156, 2014–2019) and the second-generation GLA (H247, 2020 onwards) are built on different platforms with different drivetrains, so gearboxes are not interchangeable between those two generations. Always match the engine code from your V5 rather than relying on the model name alone. Route any cross-generation swap questions directly to the breaker against your registration, as the differences run deeper than just the gearbox casing.

For a mechanical component like a gearbox, trim level does not determine fitment — Sport, AMG Line, Executive, and other trim grades on the X156 or H247 GLA are distinguished by cosmetic and equipment differences, not by different gearboxes. What actually matters is the engine code, fuel type (petrol or diesel), and whether the car has a manual or automatic gearbox. Give the breaker your engine code and gearbox type and they will match accordingly, regardless of what trim badge is on the tailgate.

Engine code is the single most reliable identifier for a used GLA gearbox — two GLAs built in the same year with the same fuel type can carry different engines (for example, the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol variants on the X156), and those engines pair with different gearboxes. Fuel type and gearbox type (manual or automatic/7G-DCT) narrow things down further, but year alone is not enough. Find your engine code on your V5 document or from a VIN check and pass it to the breaker — that one detail will save a lot of back-and-forth.

A 2019 GLA is a first-generation X156 (which ran up to 2019), while a 2020 GLA is a second-generation H247 built on a completely different platform, so these gearboxes are not compatible. Even if the engine displacement and fuel type look similar on paper, the transmission designs differ between generations. Stick to sourcing a gearbox from another X156-generation car with a matching engine code, and confirm fitment details with the breaker against your registration.

This depends on the specific gearbox type and the vehicle's ECU setup, and it is not something we can state definitively for every GLA variant. Some Mercedes automatic transmissions do require adaptation or coding after a swap, and immobiliser or TCU pairing can be a factor on certain configurations. Raise this question directly with the breaker when you get your quote, as they will have hands-on experience of what is required for your exact engine code and gearbox type.