New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing
New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing
Not able to change gears assessment
made easy

Enter your cars details to request an estimate for your repair. 🔧

Don’t know your rego? Select by make / model here.
New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing
New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing

Not able to change gears assessment made easy

Enter your cars details to request an estimate for your repair 🔧

Don’t know your rego? Select by make / model here.

Why book with us?

Loved by thousands

All our work comes with a 12 month, 10,000km parts and workmanship guarantee.

Upfront, fixed pricing

No "from..." pricing here. We honor our prices, and our quotes don't change unless the job does.

Peace of mind maintenance

We make it easy so you can get on with your day. Car maintenance at home, work or at the golf club.

Tell me about my Not able to change gears assessment

If you are unable to change gears, it usually indicates a problem with the clutch system, transmission, or gear linkage. This issue can prevent the vehicle from moving and may leave you stranded. An inspection is needed to identify whether the fault is mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical in nature.

What does it mean if you cannot change gears?

Being unable to change gears means the transmission is not engaging or responding to input from the gear lever. This could be due to clutch failure in manual vehicles, selector cable issues, hydraulic leaks, or an internal transmission fault.

Common causes of gear shifting failure

  • Worn or broken clutch (manual transmission)
  • Faulty clutch master or slave cylinder
  • Broken or stretched gear selector cable
  • Low or contaminated transmission fluid (automatic or manual)
  • Damaged synchronisers or internal gearbox failure
  • Faulty transmission control module (automatics)

Why do you need to fix this problem quickly?

If you cannot change gears, your car may not move or could get stuck in one gear, making it unsafe to drive. Delaying repairs can lead to further damage to the transmission or clutch system.

How do you know when to get it checked?

You should book an inspection if:

  • The gear lever won’t move or feels stuck
  • You can’t shift into certain gears
  • The clutch pedal feels soft, stiff, or unresponsive
  • The transmission grinds or makes noise when shifting
  • The car only drives in one gear (often “limp mode” in automatics)

What happens during an assessment?

A mechanic will:

  1. Check clutch operation and hydraulic fluid levels (manual)
  2. Inspect the gear selector cables and linkage
  3. Check transmission fluid level and condition
  4. Test the gearbox or automatic transmission system
  5. Scan for fault codes if electronically controlled
  6. Identify the cause and recommend the necessary repair

How much does it cost to fix?

Minor repairs, such as adjusting linkage or topping up fluid, may cost $150–$350. Clutch repairs typically range from $900–$1,800+. Major transmission repairs or replacements can cost $2,500–$5,000+ depending on the vehicle.

Is it unsafe to drive if you cannot change gears?

Yes. If you cannot shift gears, you may lose control of the car or be unable to drive at all. The issue should be inspected and repaired immediately to ensure safety.

Need help finding the right service or repair?

Our experts can help. Call or email at hello@turnersservice.co.nz.

☎️ 0800 768 000
You can contact us between 8am & 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Frequently Asked Questions 🧐

Got car questions? We got answers.

We've developed a Help section with information on hundreds of repairs, common symptoms and general car knowledge.

How do online bookings work for car servicing & basic repairs?

Once you fill out your details, you’ll be shown the ‘search results’ which displays instant fixed-price quotes from local service providers that can be booked online.

Yes. Once you have entered in your vehicle details and location, you’ll be able to browse through available repair tasks or inspections that you would like a quote for.

Yes. For the work included in the quote, the price you’re quoted is the final price you’ll pay.

If you’ve booked with a workshop, the service provider will usually require your vehicle for the entire day due to scheduling. If you’ve booked with a mobile provider, you will only be without your vehicle for the time it takes to complete the job.

Booking your car service or repair through Turners Service & Repairs gives you access to these convenient payment options:

1. Pay upfront and online using your credit or debit card or PayPal
2. Flexible payment options with Afterpay
3. In some instances, you can choose to pay the mechanic when the service or repairs have been completed.

Yes, we send through a comprehensive report and invoice / receipt once the booking is completed. If you have any questions please reach out via 0800 768 000.