Reconditioned Mazda 3 Gearbox

On the Mazda 3, the sales method depends on the generation and the availability of the original unit.

The collection covers Mazda 3 models from 2004 to 2019, exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, across two engine options: the 1.6 MZR-CD (diesel, by far the most common) and the 1.5 (petrol). For the majority of vehicles, sale on an exchange basis is possible. However, depending on the generation and the condition of the original unit, rebuilding the customer's own gearbox — which is then returned to them — may be the only viable option, particularly when the unit is rare or when the customer wishes to retain their own casing along with its fitting history.

1.6 MZR-CD: identification by engine code, not just by engine capacity

The 1.6 MZR-CD accounts for the bulk of the catalogue. Several gearbox references exist for this engine block depending on the year and generation of the vehicle: engine codes Y6, Y601, Y650 and Y655 correspond to different pairings. Gearbox references beginning with AV6R (e.g. AV6R-7002-HK, AV6R7002GF…) apply to the more recent versions, whilst references C655 or C663-03-000 apply to the earlier generations. The same model year can therefore take gearboxes that are not interchangeable: the engine code stamped on the block is the essential starting point for selecting the correct reference.

1.5 petrol and a common point to watch on both engines

The 1.5 (code P5-VPS) is represented by just a single reference in the collection. The choice here is more straightforward, but checking the engine code remains necessary to avoid any confusion with other petrol engines of a similar capacity. Across both engines, the most common symptom warranting replacement is synchromesh failure (stiff or impossible gear changes), sometimes combined with selector fork wear on high-mileage vehicles.