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I read your comments on the CVT of the Nissan Primera which has prompted me to share a recent experience so that others do not get trapped similarly.

I have a Nissan Cedric fitted with a CVT. This is a Japanese used import and I purchased it when it was just two years old. Brilliant car to use and drive. After a couple of years the transmission started to exhibit a slight humming noise and the Nissan agent suggested the fix to be a replacement transmission. Price unbelievable.

After searching the web, I found a repairer who specialised in CVT repairs and the transmission was sent to them for repair. A promised ten day repair turned into a six month plus cajoling to get it back. To my dismay and after very lean pockets the humming noise was still evident but was told it would settle in 3000Km. It never did.

I eventually fitted a brand new unit and the car is now running like new and every bit enjoyable.

I would just like to tell others to be very careful with any CVT repairs.

Kaushik

Thanks for the email. I guess for many it comes down to the costs of fitting new parts compared to the cars overall value or what the owner can afford.

Remember also, if a manufacturer does not recommend an overhaul, then any repair is going to be compromised in some way.

Unfortunately CVT is starting to become tagged as being high risk across the board which is not always the case. Nissan for example have some very good CVT's in their current new product range.

My best advice to potential buyers of second hand cars (especially used imports), is to always check with the manufacturer and confirm whether their Constant Variable Transmissions can be repaired and what is an average cost to do so.

Any automatic repair is expensive and for many the good old manual is a much better option if you wish to lower future running cost risks.