DSG on older cars

[Belle427]

Im currently looking for an estate car and having had 2 x B5 Passats in the past im drawn toward a B6 this time but fancy an automatic.
Are the DSG transmissions in this age of car fairly reliable?
Im guessing most will have skipped services throughout their life due to the costs involved so is it important to find one that has been religiously done?
If there are any chances of expensive failure ahead i will stick to manual cars, most cars im looking at are close to or over 100k miles.

[119]

You will probably struggle to find one that has been serviced as most dealers spout the ‘sealed for life’ line.

And in all honesty, even with strict servicing being done, it’s all down to how it’s been driven!

I would certainly try and avoid multiple owners greater than 100k miles tbh.

Good luck.

It will be a headache.

[Belle427]

Ok thanks, best avoided then.

[Gazzab]

I have had my DSG golf r estate for over 7 years (from new). No issues with DSG.

[ashenfie]

It’s rather hard to answer as pre 2012 all sorts of jerkiness problems and failures. They have improved and now generally ok. Like most gearboxs they have a maintain free stick on them, further they not easy to fix. The biggest issue will be if the car has been driven hard or towing as they can overheat. If the car runs smoothly and no sign of slipping then you should be ok.

[LivLL]

I d just drive the one you re interested in and if the service record isn t up to scratch budget in a gearbox service. It isn t that expensive to do and should give some peace of mind.

As far as I m aware they ve never been sealed for life so not sure what the post above is about.

When you test drive make sure it isn t jerky pulling off from a standstill and that the gear changes are smooth.

Don’t forget a manual gearbox can easily lunch itself or its clutch and DMF and leave you with some big bills too.

Edited by LivLL on Saturday 5th July 09:47

[Belle427]

That's the only issue really, most cars I'm looking at are 80k miles plus and if there is no evidence of a service then it becomes a tricky decision. If serviced on time I can't really see an issue.

[Narcisus]

119 said:

You will probably struggle to find one that has been serviced as most dealers spout the sealed for life line.

And in all honesty, even with strict servicing being done, it s all down to how it s been driven!

I would certainly try and avoid multiple owners greater than 100k miles tbh.

Good luck.

It will be a headache.

Owned my Superb for 10 years now from new I've had the DSG oil changed.

Curious about your it's all down to how its been driven comment though unless you are referring to multiple launch control starts ?

[paul_c123]

There is a world of difference in reliability between the DQ200 (dry clutch 7 speed) found on smaller VWs and the DQ250 (wet clutch 6 speed) on larger ones, typically 2.0 litre petrol and diesels. AIUI all Passats of that era will have the DQ250. So long as oil changes are done on time and on mileage then the gearbox itself is reliable. The diesels have DMF which can cause issues but its easy to diagnose. And the mechatronic units may have issues but gone are the days of £1000+ repairs for them, there are now decent supplies of refurbished units or rebuild kits from around £120.

[Belle427]

Just out of interest do main dealers ask for permission to do the transmission service or just carry on with it if required?

[Gazzab]

Belle427 said:

Just out of interest do main dealers ask for permission to do the transmission service or just carry on with it if required?

I found dealers totally confused over when transmission type services are due.

[ninjag]

What I discovered after buying my S4 was that the DSG service is apparently optional. So a full main dealer service history does not necessary mean the DSG service has been done.

My 7 speed OB5 DL501 wet clutch transmission has the fluid and an external filter as part of the service, which I've now done myself twice. But there is an internal strainer that can be changed as well, although Audi don't class it as a service item.

The car is now 10 years old and just eased past 100k miles and I've had no problems with the DSG. It gets a mixture of gentle driving and Italian tuneups, mainly local driving.

I do wonder if being the last of the facelift (B8.5 CREC) with what I think is the third revision of this transmission may have helped with the reliability. My car is stock as well.

[Dr G]

ninjag said:

What I discovered after buying my S4 was that the DSG service is apparently optional. So a full main dealer service history does not necessary mean the DSG service has been done.

If it wasn't done then it can't be described as "full" service history. That's one of those phrases that people throw around without thinking.

[catso]

Gazzab said:

I found dealers totally confused over when transmission type services are due.

Indeed, when I had my A3 (3.2 quattro, 6-speed DSG) they sent me various different advice re. gearbox service, along with a 'change the cambelt' letter (VR6 engine has camchain).

That said, I had the DSG oil/filter changed twice at the correct 40k intervals and it was still going strong at 90k when I sold it.

I had the S4 oil/filter done early around 30k as it had a minor oil leak at the back of the gearbox so, needed draining anyway to redo the seal.

[stevemcs]

Dr G said:

If it wasn't done then it can't be described as "full" service history. That's one of those phrases that people throw around without thinking.

We usually find if it had a service pack then the dealers don't do it, if it doesn't have the service pack then they are keen to charge for it.

Haldex is another that seems to get missed

[Gazzab]

stevemcs said:

Dr G said:

If it wasn't done then it can't be described as "full" service history. That's one of those phrases that people throw around without thinking.

We usually find if it had a service pack then the dealers don't do it, if it doesn't have the service pack then they are keen to charge for it.

Haldex is another that seems to get missed

Yeah I have had a service pack on my Golf R for the last 7 years and it’s always a struggle. The Huddersfield dealer is terrible. They once called me to say they will need to charge £250 to strip front brakes to investigate a juddering. I said but youll just find it’s the discs and charge me more 100’s of pounds to fix it. Nope she said that’s all we’ll charge. Ok I said then crack on. Picked up the car. Paid the £250 and went home. Got a call the next day from the service manager saying they forgot to charge me £900 for the brakes (or something like that). I refused to pay as never agreed to the work. So he offered to come collect my car and swap the old parts back (he said they would still be in the skip). What the dangerous parts that failed the mot? Eventually we agreed on a much smaller number albeit he said he was doing me a favour. Useless. I don’t know why i use them. They always do something wrong, without fail. The worst bit is having to sit and wait 30 mins before some numpty checks me in and does some hello sir how are you etc crap. Grrrrr

[Simon_GH]

I went in an Audi diesel DSG taxi a few years ago. The driver loved the car but had to replace the gearbox every 50k. He was on his third. I suspect a combination of arduous use and zero servicing were taking their toll.

[ninjag]

Dr G said:

ninjag said:

What I discovered after buying my S4 was that the DSG service is apparently optional. So a full main dealer service history does not necessary mean the DSG service has been done.

If it wasn't done then it can't be described as "full" service history. That's one of those phrases that people throw around without thinking.

According to Audi, they can still class it as having a Full Service History. I argued it with them because of the importance of the DSG service, but they were adamant that they were right. Very underhand in my opinion.