Ford Focus Gearbox Replacement Cost in South Africa (2026 Guide)

A Ford Focus gearbox replacement costs between R6,000 and R18,000 fitted for the manual transmission and R18,000–R38,000 fitted for the PowerShift automatic — with the wide range driven by whether you choose a used, reconditioned, or exchange unit and where in South Africa you have the work done.

What Gearbox Does the Ford Focus Use?

Before getting quotes, knowing your exact gearbox type is essential — the wrong unit is an expensive mistake.

IB5 — 5-Speed Manual (Mk1 & Early Mk2, 1.4/1.6 Petrol)

The IB5 is a 5-speed transverse manual that Ford fitted across a wide range of small-car platforms. On the Focus it covered the 1.4L and 1.6L petrol engines in the Mk1 (1998–2004) and the early Mk2 (2005–2008). This is the most affordable unit to source — used examples commonly change hands for R2,000–R5,000 on South African classifieds, and many suppliers include a short warranty. The IB5 is light, straightforward to rebuild, and widely available in South African scrapyards due to the large number of Fiesta and Fusion models that share the unit.

MTX75 — 5-Speed Manual (2.0L Petrol & Diesel)

The MTX75 (Manual TransaXle, 75 mm shaft centre distance) is Ford’s heavier-duty FWD transaxle, developed alongside the Zetec engine family. Wikipedia’s Ford MTX-75 transmission article confirms that the MTX75 was fitted to Ford Focus models running the 2.0L Zetec petrol and all diesel-powered manual variants, and includes synchromesh on reverse gear. Compared with the IB5, it is a more robust unit — but also more expensive to source. Used MTX75 gearboxes for Focus sell for R3,000–R7,000; reconditioned units from South African rebuilders fetch R8,000–R12,000.

DPS6 / 6DCT250 — 6-Speed PowerShift Automatic (Mk3, 2011–2018)

The most expensive and most problematic gearbox is the DPS6 — Ford’s marketing name for what Getrag designates the 6DCT250 (a 6-speed dry dual-clutch transaxle rated to 250 Nm). According to the Ford PowerShift transmission Wikipedia article, the DPS6 uses two separate dry clutches — one handling odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and the other even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), with reverse grouped on one of the two clutches — and was fitted to Focus models from 2011 through 2018 in international markets including South Africa. The dry-clutch design generates heat during low-speed manoeuvring that the clutch packs were not engineered to sustain long-term, producing the now-notorious shudder and judder complaints. Used DPS6 units sell for R7,500–R15,000; reconditioned or exchange units range R18,000–R28,000.

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Ford Focus Gearbox Replacement Costs in South Africa (2026)

The infographic below gives an at-a-glance view of fitted cost ranges by gearbox type. The detailed per-variant breakdown follows.

Prices updated July 2026. Source: Engine Finder supplier and classified market analysis.

Detailed Cost Table by Gearbox Type

Gearbox type	Unit — used	Unit — recon	Labour (4–7 hrs)	Total fitted
IB5 manual (1.4/1.6 petrol)	R2,000–R5,000	R5,000–R8,500	R2,000–R3,500	R6,000–R14,000
MTX75 manual (2.0L / diesel)	R3,000–R7,000	R8,000–R12,000	R2,500–R4,000	R8,500–R18,000
DPS6 PowerShift — clutch service	R3,500–R6,000 (clutch kit)	—	R2,500–R4,000	R6,000–R12,000
DPS6 PowerShift — full replacement	R7,500–R15,000	R18,000–R28,000	R3,500–R6,000	R18,000–R38,000

Fitted totals include workshop consumables beyond the base unit and labour (transmission fluid, seals, mounts, and on the DPS6 a clutch adaptation reset and actuator calibration), so a total can exceed a straight unit-plus-labour sum. The DPS6 full-replacement range reflects the reconditioned or exchange route most specialists recommend over a used unit of unknown history.

Always get three written quotes. Prices in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal can vary 20–30% for the same job, and independent gearbox specialists almost always undercut franchised Ford dealers on labour rates.

Compare prices from verified suppliers on our Ford gearboxes for sale page.

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PowerShift DPS6 Problems — What Goes Wrong and Why

If you drive a Focus with the automatic PowerShift, understanding what fails first can save you thousands.

The DPS6’s core weakness is its dry-clutch design. Wet-clutch DCTs (like VW’s 6-speed wet DSG) use oil to cool the clutch packs; the DPS6’s clutches run dry and rely entirely on rapid engagement to minimise heat. At walking pace — in traffic, parking, or crawling off a hill — the clutch slips repeatedly and temperatures spike. Ford faced class-action lawsuits in the US, Australia, and Canada; Ford Australia paid AU$10 million in penalties in 2018 in relation to the DPS6’s reliability issues in the Australian market, and the same transmission was sold in South Africa throughout this period.

When the Transmission Control Module (TCM) fails — causing erratic shifts, communication errors on a scan tool, or no response from the gear selector — this is a separate repair. UpFix’s DPS6 TCM failure analysis documents that the module suffers from heat-related component breakdown, weak solder joints, and moisture intrusion. A replacement or refurbished TCM costs R6,500–R9,500, plus programming fees of R400–R1,500.

Watch: Why the PowerShift DPS6 Failed (Full Teardown)

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Labour Costs for Ford Focus Gearbox Replacement

A gearbox swap involves disconnecting the driveshafts, unbolting the subframe or engine mounts, and manoeuvring a heavy unit out of the engine bay.

Job	Estimated time	Cost at R400–R750/hr
Manual (IB5 / MTX75) removal & refit	4–6 hours	R2,000–R4,500
PowerShift DPS6 removal & refit	5–7 hours	R2,500–R5,250
DPS6 clutch service	4–6 hours	R2,000–R4,500
TCM replacement & programming	1–2 hours + software	R800–R2,500 total

MechanicBuddy’s South African quote database shows Ford auto gearbox jobs averaging R5,000–R6,400 total for Focus-class vehicles (based on comparable Fiesta/Figo drivetrain data), with most quotes coming from Gauteng workshops.

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Used vs Reconditioned vs New: Which Should You Choose?

Manual Gearboxes (IB5 / MTX75)

Used (scrapyard): R2,000–R7,000. Best for older, lower-value vehicles. Ask for mileage verification and at minimum a 1-month warranty.

Reconditioned: R5,000–R12,000. Synchromesh rings, bearings, and seals all replaced. Recommended for any Focus you plan to keep long-term. Typical warranty: 3–12 months or 10,000 km.

New OEM (dealer): R15,000–R25,000+. Only justified for a near-new, high-value vehicle still under a service plan.

PowerShift DPS6

Used: R7,500–R15,000. Risk of inheriting the previous unit’s clutch wear. Only buy from a supplier who can verify low mileage and no stored fault codes.

Reconditioned / exchange: R18,000–R28,000. The recommended route — a specialist rebuilder replaces the clutch pack, seals, and actuators. Most offer 6–24 months warranty, and suppliers like Mayfair Gearbox (Johannesburg) offer exchange units with delivery across South Africa.

New dealer unit: R35,000–R55,000. Rarely cost-effective given the Focus’s market value.

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Is It Worth Replacing the Ford Focus Gearbox?

• Manual Focus: If the car is worth R40,000–R80,000 and the gearbox is the only major fault, a R8,000–R18,000 repair makes good financial sense.
• PowerShift Focus: Weigh R18,000–R38,000 against the vehicle’s current value. A 2013–2015 Focus automatic in fair condition retails for R80,000–R130,000 — meaning a full gearbox swap still leaves positive equity. On a high-mileage 2012 example worth R55,000, a full DPS6 swap is marginal; a clutch service at R6,000–R12,000 is the pragmatic first step.

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How to Save on Your Ford Focus Gearbox Replacement

1. Try the TCM reset first (DPS6 only): Disconnect the negative battery terminal for 10 minutes, reconnect, and allow the TCM to re-learn clutch engagement. Occasionally resolves mild shudder at zero cost — won’t fix physically worn discs.
2. Clutch service before full replacement: The DPS6 clutch-pack service (R6,000–R12,000 fitted) is almost always the correct first repair for shudder or slipping.
3. Use independent gearbox specialists: They typically save R3,000–R6,000 over dealer labour rates on a full job.
4. Specify engine and model year: An IB5 for the 1.6 will not fit a 2.0L Focus that needs an MTX75.
5. Separate the part and the labour: Buying a used unit yourself and paying only for fitment can undercut “fitted price” offers where the supplier inflates the unit cost.

For a broader view of what gearbox replacements cost across all types, see our South African gearbox price guide. If you’re also looking at manual gearbox options, our manual gearbox replacement cost guide covers labour and rebuild costs in detail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost? Manual: R6,000–R18,000 fitted. PowerShift DPS6 auto: R18,000–R38,000 fitted (or R6,000–R12,000 for clutch service only).

What automatic gearbox does the Focus use? The DPS6 (also called 6DCT250) — a 6-speed dry dual-clutch transmission marketed by Ford as PowerShift, fitted to automatic Focus models from 2011 to 2018.

Why does it shudder? Dry clutch overheating at low speed. A clutch-pack service at R6,000–R12,000 fitted typically resolves it without a full gearbox swap.

Can I replace just the clutch? Yes — for the DPS6 this is almost always the correct first repair for shudder or slipping.

How long does the job take? 4–6 hours for a manual swap; 5–7 hours for the PowerShift DPS6. Labour runs R400–R750/hr at independent specialists.

IB5 vs MTX75? The IB5 is for 1.4/1.6 petrol Focus; the MTX75 is for the 2.0L petrol and diesel. Not interchangeable.

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Need a Ford Focus gearbox? Compare South African suppliers on the Engine Finder gearboxes hub or see how the Ford Ranger’s 6R80 and 10R80 gearbox costs compare.