Used Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gearbox

These are two different generations: the W221 ran from 2005 to 2013, while the W222 began in 2013, so a 2010 unit is from the W221 and a 2014 unit is from the W222 and the two generations do not share the same gearbox. Even within those generation boundaries, fitment depends primarily on the engine code, which you can find on your V5 or through a VIN check. Always confirm cross-generation compatibility with the breaker against your exact registration.

Both years fall within the W221 generation (2005–2013, with a facelift in 2009), so there is a reasonable chance of compatibility, but mechanical changes can occur across a facelift year even within the same generation. The engine code is the single most useful detail here — supply it to the breaker so they can match it precisely to their donor vehicle. Confirm any ancillary or mounting differences against your registration with the breaker before buying.

Trim and badge names like S350 and S500 reflect engine variants rather than separate trim grades in the traditional sense, and on the S-Class the gearbox follows the engine, not the badge on the boot. An S350 and an S500 use different engines with different engine codes, so their gearboxes are generally not interchangeable. Give the breaker your engine code — not just the model badge — to make sure you get the right unit.

Body style and wheelbase do not affect gearbox fitment — the gearbox is determined by the engine code, fuel type, and gearbox type, not by whether the donor was a standard or long-wheelbase car. A gearbox from a long-wheelbase W222 with the same engine code as your standard-wheelbase W222 should be mechanically the same unit. Confirm this with the breaker against your registration to be certain.

Fuel type matters for gearbox fitment on the S-Class, and a diesel unit and a petrol unit are not interchangeable even if they sit in the same generation. The engine code, which will tell the breaker both the fuel type and exact engine variant, is the most reliable way to source the correct gearbox. Always quote your engine code when getting quotes from breakers on Findapart.

This is a genuine concern with modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles, where the transmission control unit may be paired to the donor car's ECU or immobiliser system. Whether your specific vehicle and the donor unit will require recoding is something you need to confirm with the breaker and ideally a Mercedes-specialist before purchasing. This is not something we can state as a blanket rule, as it can depend on the exact model year and build specification.