Can I still drive it?
A small seep usually lets you drive for a short time, but book it in soon. Low gearbox oil can damage the gearbox, and that costs far more than a pan or a seal. If you see a gearbox warning, or the car slips, shifts harshly or won’t select a gear, stop driving and have it checked.
Symptoms
Tick what you notice. Two or more usually point to a gearbox leak.
Narrow it down
Two questions point you to the most likely part.
Where is the oil?
How does the gearbox drive?
Answer both questions to see the most likely cause.
Oil under the gearbox usually comes from the oil pan edge or the electrical connector sleeve on the side of the gearbox. Clean the area, drive, and look again to see where the fresh oil starts.
A leak with harsh shifts, slipping or a warning suggests the oil level is already low. Stop driving, have the level checked and the leak fixed before the gearbox is damaged.
Gearbox oil at the front often comes from the cooler pipes or their joints near the radiator. Check the pipes and clamps for wet spots.
Oil near a front wheel, at the side of the gearbox, often comes from an output shaft seal where the drive shaft goes in. Check that area for a wet seal.
Likely causes, most common first
Automatic gearbox leaks usually start at a seal or a gasket. Find where the fresh oil starts before you buy parts.
01Leaking oil pan Most common
Many of these gearboxes use a plastic oil pan with the seal and filter built in. With heat and age, the pan or its seal can start to seep along the edge.
Check: Look at the edge of the pan for wet oil or a dirty, oily line. A pan that is wet all round usually needs replacing.
02Electrical connector sleeve Common
The gearbox control unit plugs in through a sleeve on the side of the gearbox. Its seals can harden and let oil out, sometimes into the plug itself.
Check: Check the side of the gearbox around the electrical plug for oil. Oil inside the plug needs a workshop.
03Oil cooler or cooler pipes Common
Gearbox oil runs to a cooler at the front of the car. The pipes, joints and clamps can seep, and the leak often shows near the front.
Check: Follow the cooler pipes from the gearbox to the front and look for wet joints.
04Output shaft seal Less common
Where the drive shafts go into the gearbox, a seal keeps the oil in. A worn seal leaks at the side of the gearbox, near the wheel.
Check: Look behind the front wheels, where the drive shaft meets the gearbox, for a wet seal.
Use the right oil, and the right amount. These gearboxes usually have no dipstick. A workshop checks the level at a set oil temperature with a diagnostic tool. Too little or too much oil can both cause problems.
Checks you can do
No special tools. Do these before you buy parts.
Find the drip
Park overnight on clean ground or cardboard. Note where the drips land: middle, front or near a wheel.
Tell it from engine oil
Gearbox oil is thin. Engine oil drips usually start further forward, under the engine.
Clean and recheck
Wipe the gearbox area clean, drive for a day, then look again to see where the fresh oil starts.
Watch for warnings
Note any gearbox message, harsh shift or slipping. These mean the level may be low.
Check the plug
With a torch, look for oil around the electrical plug on the side of the gearbox.
Send us the result
Tell us where the oil is, how the gearbox drives, and your VIN. We confirm the right part.
Parts and prices
Genuine JLR gearbox parts next to ZF, Corteco and VNG.
Prices on 27 Oct 2026, in AED. The sleeve kit saving compares with genuine LR123857 at 2,635.00 AED. Gearbox parts change with model, gearbox and year: send your VIN and we confirm the right part numbers before you order.
FAQ
Can I drive with a gearbox oil leak?
For a small seep, usually yes for a short time. Book it in soon. If you see a gearbox warning, or the car slips or shifts harshly, stop driving: low oil can damage the gearbox.
Why replace the whole oil pan?
On many of these gearboxes the seal and filter are built into the pan, so the pan is replaced as one part. It also renews the filter.
Can I top up the gearbox oil myself?
Usually not. These gearboxes normally have no dipstick, and the level is set at a specific oil temperature with a diagnostic tool. A workshop should fill and check it.
Are aftermarket gearbox parts any good?
We stock ZF, Corteco and VNG parts next to genuine JLR. ZF makes these gearboxes. Aftermarket costs less; genuine is the factory part. Each comes with its manufacturer’s warranty.
Which part fits my car?
Land Rover uses different gearboxes across models and years, so pans, sleeves and seals differ. Send your VIN on WhatsApp and we confirm the right part number.
This guide is for information. Have a qualified technician confirm the fault before replacing parts.