Buying Used Engines and Gearboxes in South Africa
Enjini Auto supplies quality tested used engines, gearboxes, cylinder heads, alloy wheel rims and workshop tool boxes to vehicle owners, mechanics and workshops across South Africa — and to every country that borders it. There are currently 475 parts on the shelf covering ten major brands, and what you see listed is what is physically in stock. We do not run bait listings or ask you to contact us for availability on parts we do not hold.
Buying a used engine or gearbox is a decision most people make once, usually under pressure, and often after a dealership quote has made a full replacement look impossible. Two things decide whether it works out: was the part actually tested, and does it genuinely fit your vehicle. Everything below answers those two questions before you spend anything.
Find the Right Part by Engine Code
Model name alone is not enough. A Toyota Hilux may run a 2KD-FTV or a 1KD-FTV depending on year and specification. An Isuzu KB could carry a 4JA1 or a 4JJ1. Ordering on the badge instead of the code is the most common reason a used part arrives and will not bolt in.
We stock 101 distinct engine, gearbox and cylinder-head codes, and every listing states the code it matches. If you know yours, the engine code finder takes you straight to matching stock. If not, send your VIN or a photo of the engine plate via the contact page and we will identify it and confirm fitment before you pay.
Shop by Brand
Every brand below is stocked across engines, gearboxes and cylinder heads:
How Every Part Is Tested Before It Is Listed
Used parts are only as good as the checks behind them. Engines and gearboxes are sourced from running vehicles, then stripped, cleaned and function-tested rather than pressure-washed and photographed. Engines are checked for compression, leaks and unusual wear. Gearboxes are shift-tested through the range. Cylinder heads are pressure tested for cracks and checked against tolerance for warp on the deck face — the two failures that turn a cheap head into a repeat head-gasket job.
The full process is on our How We Test page. We publish it because it is the part of a used-parts purchase buyers cannot verify themselves.
Warranty, Pricing and What Things Actually Cost
Used engines, gearboxes and cylinder heads carry a 3-month warranty covering internal failure under normal operating conditions. Alloy rims and tool boxes are new stock and carry 12 months. Full terms are on the warranty page, and if a part does not match the fitment we confirmed, the returns policy covers you.
Current price ranges, including VAT:
- Used engines — from about R14,000, larger diesel and commercial units toward R58,500
- Used gearboxes — from about R7,000, manual and automatic
- Used cylinder heads — from R2,800
- Alloy wheel rims — sets of four from R5,200
- Tool boxes — from R1,800
- Engine swap kits — engine, gearbox and tool box bundled from R58,500
If your vehicle needs both an engine and a gearbox, doing them together avoids paying twice for overlapping labour. Our guide to what an engine swap costs in South Africa breaks down parts, labour and the consumables that catch most budgets out.
Delivery Across South Africa and Neighbouring Countries
We deliver nationwide in South Africa by door-to-door courier, and cross-border into Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho. Orders are typically dispatched within 1 to 3 business days of payment clearing. Domestic delivery usually takes 2 to 5 business days after dispatch; cross-border shipments generally take 5 to 10 business days depending on customs clearance.
Engines and gearboxes are palletised and moved by freight courier rather than parcel courier, which can add a day or two. For cross-border orders the customer is responsible for any import duties or clearance fees charged by the destination country — we supply the commercial invoice and documentation. Full detail is on the shipping page and in our guide to ordering car parts into neighbouring countries.
Before You Buy: Common Questions
Is a used engine worth it compared to a new one?
It depends what the rest of the vehicle is worth. If the body, gearbox and suspension are sound and the car is worth less than a new engine, a tested used unit usually buys years of use for a fraction of the cost. On a newer vehicle you intend to keep long-term, new may be the better call. Our comparison of new vs used engines covers where each makes sense.
Do I need a cylinder head or a whole engine?
If the block is sound and damage is confined to the top end, a tested head is far cheaper. If the block is damaged or the bottom end worn, a head alone will not save it. The signs are covered in our guide on how to tell if a cylinder head is warped.
Can you confirm a part fits before I pay?
Yes, and we would rather you asked. Send your make, model, year and engine code — or just the VIN — and we will confirm compatibility first. Returning a heavy part across a border is slow and expensive, so this matters most on cross-border orders.
Do you sell to workshops and trade buyers?
Yes. Mechanics and workshops are a large share of our customers, which is why every listing states the engine code and fitment rather than a vague model range. For multiple units or recurring supply, get in touch.
