Second Hand Mercedes-Benz GLA Transfer Box

Only 4MATIC (four-wheel-drive) variants of the GLA have a transfer box — it is the unit that splits drive between the front and rear axles. Two-wheel-drive GLA models (those without 4MATIC in the badge) never had one fitted, so if your car is a standard front-wheel-drive GLA you are looking for the wrong part. Check your V5 or run a VIN check to confirm whether your car is a 4MATIC before searching further.

The X156 and H247 are entirely different platforms, so a transfer box from the earlier generation will not fit the later one. These are distinct units designed around different drivetrains, and even shared engine families were revised between generations. Always quote your generation and engine code to the breaker so they can source the correct unit.

Yes — engine code is the most important detail here, because the transfer box must match the torque output and gearbox interface of your specific drivetrain. A GLA 220d 4MATIC and a GLA 250 4MATIC, for example, pair with different transmissions and the transfer box compatibility follows from that. Pull your engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and give it to the breaker before agreeing any purchase.

Trim level — whether SE, Sport, AMG Line, or any other — makes no difference to transfer box fitment, as these are cosmetic and equipment packages rather than mechanical changes. The transfer box is determined entirely by the engine code, gearbox type, and whether the car is 4MATIC. You may find cosmetic differences on a donor car from a different trim, but the mechanical unit itself is what matters.

The X156 GLA received a facelift for the 2017 model year, and in most cases the transfer box on the same engine and gearbox combination remained consistent across that boundary. However, ancillary fittings or mounting details can change mid-production, so you should confirm directly with the breaker that the specific unit they have matches your registration rather than relying on the facelift year alone.

These are different vehicles built on different platforms or with different packaging, and a transfer box from a GLC or GLB is very unlikely to be a direct swap for the GLA even if the engine codes look similar. Cross-model interchange is possible in some cases but must be verified against the exact part number by the breaker before purchase. Do not assume compatibility based on shared badging or engine family alone.