Are Rebuilt Transmissions Reliable? Here’s the Truth

If you’ve been told your transmission needs to be replaced, you may be wondering:
Is a rebuilt transmission actually reliable—or should I just buy new?

The truth is, a professionally rebuilt transmission can be just as reliable—if not more so—than buying new. But it depends entirely on who does the rebuild, what parts they use, and how it’s done.

Let’s break it all down.

✅ What Does “Rebuilt Transmission” Actually Mean?

A rebuilt transmission has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected, and reassembled using:

New seals, gaskets, clutches, and other wear parts
Refurbished or replaced hard parts
A reconditioned valve body (if needed)
Updated parts to update and correct common manufacturer flaws

️ At Advanced Transmission Center, every rebuild follows a strict in-house process by ASE-certified technicians.

How Reliable Is a Rebuilt Transmission?

**Very reliable—**if it’s done right.

In fact, many rebuilt transmissions can last 100,000+ miles, especially when built by specialists who know the common failure points and address them proactively.

Rebuilt transmissions are reliable when:

Built in-house (not outsourced to an unknown vendor)
Tested and quality-checked after assembly
Covered by a warranty for parts and labor
Rebuilt using updated or upgraded components

✅ We rebuild transmissions in-house right here in Colorado—and back them with industry-leading warranties.

Rebuilt vs. Remanufactured vs. Used: What’s the Difference?

Type	What It Means	Reliability
Rebuilt	Reassembled with new and reconditioned parts; inspected and tested	✅ Excellent (if done by a trusted shop)
Remanufactured	Factory-rebuilt to spec; often includes upgraded parts	✅ Excellent (if from a reputable source)
Used	Salvaged unit from another vehicle	⚠️ Risky (unknown wear or history)

⚠️ Avoid used transmissions unless budget is the only concern—they’re often not worth the gamble.

Is a Rebuilt Transmission Better Than New?

In many cases, yes—because:

New transmissions are rarely truly “new” unless you buy directly from the OEM (expensive)
After a few years, “new” units are no longer available and OEM units are actually remanufactured
A custom-built rebuild may include updated parts to fix design flaws from the factory

A rebuilt transmission from a specialist shop can be more tailored and reliable than a generic remanufactured one.

Watch Out for Low-Quality Rebuilds

Not all rebuilds are created equal. Some red flags include:

No warranty
No proof of in-house rebuild process
Lack of ASE-certified technicians
Vague quotes with no parts list

Ask where the rebuild is done, who does it, and what’s being replaced. At Advanced Transmission Center, we’re fully transparent.

Why Drivers Trust Our Rebuilds

Here’s what sets us apart:

35+ years in transmission repair and rebuilds
In-house rebuilds at both our Lakewood and Westminster locations
Free TrueTest™ Diagnostic to confirm you need a rebuild
Warranties up to 3 years / 100,000 miles available
No-pressure recommendations and honest estimates

️ Thousands of Colorado drivers have trusted us with their rebuilds—and driven away with confidence.

Ready to See If a Rebuild Is Right for You?

Let our expert team inspect your transmission for free and tell you whether a rebuild is necessary—and whether it’s the most cost-effective and reliable option.

✅ Free TrueTest™ Diagnostic—No Guesswork, No Commitment
2 Locations: Lakewood & Westminster, CO
Call us at Lakewood (303) 816-3856 or Westminster (3 03) 647-5257
Walk-ins Welcome