Reconditioned Abarth Gearbox on an exchange basis

Why does the Abarth gearbox fail so often on the 500 and Grande Punto?

On Abarth models produced between 2007 and 2015, the gearbox is one of the most well-documented weak points. The combination of a tuned engine and a transmission rarely designed for sustained sporting use produces recurring symptoms: stiff or jumping gear changes (2nd and 3rd being the most common culprits), bearing noise when cold, and on the MTA (robotised manual gearbox), juddering or refusal to engage — caused by the actuator rather than internal mechanical wear. Before any decision to replace the gearbox, this differential diagnosis is essential: the MTA is sold without its actuator, so the condition of the actuator must be checked separately.

500 Abarth and Grande Punto Abarth: gearboxes and engine codes not to mix up

The catalogue covers two models — 500 Abarth and Grande Punto Abarth — with 5- or 6-speed gearboxes depending on the engine and year. The 1.4 naturally aspirated engine (engine code 312A1000) is fitted exclusively with a 5-speed gearbox. The 1.4 T-Jet, which is more common, can be paired with engine codes 198A1000, 312A1000 or 312B4000: the engine code stamped on the block determines exactly which gearbox is compatible. A single model year of the 500 Abarth can carry two different engine codes depending on the market or production run, which makes checking the engine code essential — engine capacity and year alone are not enough to identify the correct reference.

Exchange or rebuild: two options depending on the condition of your unit

Reconditioned Abarth gearboxes are available on an exchange basis or as a rebuild of your own unit. The second option may be the right choice when the gearbox has suffered localised damage but the casing and structural components remain sound — a common situation with MTA units, where mechanical wear is often limited to a few synchronisers. In all cases, the engine code stamped on your block remains the only reliable identifier for selecting the correct reference.