High mileage GTD DSG - is it a huge risk, what to look for?
Discussion
Hi,
I've been looking for a tidy Golf GTD estate (2015-2017) for a while and as everyone knows prices are crazy at the moment. Most I've seen really haven't been well looked after, even ones with relatively low mileage. However I've just seen a 2016 with DSG at a reputable local indie dealer with 117k miles on the clock and it looks very tidy, mostly motorway miles and all the services done. It's naturally a fair chunk cheaper as a result.
I'm yet to view in the flesh or test drive but is it crazy financial suicide with that mileage or do these units keep going long after 100k?
And if I do test drive it, what are the danger signs I should look out for having never driven/owned one with DSG before?
I've been looking for a tidy Golf GTD estate (2015-2017) for a while and as everyone knows prices are crazy at the moment. Most I've seen really haven't been well looked after, even ones with relatively low mileage. However I've just seen a 2016 with DSG at a reputable local indie dealer with 117k miles on the clock and it looks very tidy, mostly motorway miles and all the services done. It's naturally a fair chunk cheaper as a result.
I'm yet to view in the flesh or test drive but is it crazy financial suicide with that mileage or do these units keep going long after 100k?
And if I do test drive it, what are the danger signs I should look out for having never driven/owned one with DSG before?
The problem here is that nothing on a DSG is cheap to fix, and at this age and mileage you will be on your own. A good friend of mine is a VW tech and sums them up as “they’re alright until they aren’t”.
The key thing with any DSG is to make sure it’s had the transmission oil and filter changed every 40k. Don’t automatically assume a full dealer history includes this, as they can and do miss it. You want to see explicit line items on invoices.
If there’s any doubt, or if the DSG services have been missed or run even slightly late, walk away.
The key thing with any DSG is to make sure it’s had the transmission oil and filter changed every 40k. Don’t automatically assume a full dealer history includes this, as they can and do miss it. You want to see explicit line items on invoices.
If there’s any doubt, or if the DSG services have been missed or run even slightly late, walk away.
I had a 2017 (67) Golf GTD with the 7 speed DSG box and it shat itself at 37,000 miles... thankfully it was still under warranty (just).
No idea what had happened to it but was advised that the housing was cracked. VW had to get permission from head office to change it out as it was such a rare occurrence for them. Would've been £7/8k had it not been a warranty job.
No idea what had happened to it but was advised that the housing was cracked. VW had to get permission from head office to change it out as it was such a rare occurrence for them. Would've been £7/8k had it not been a warranty job.
Limpet said:
The problem here is that nothing on a DSG is cheap to fix, and at this age and mileage you will be on your own. A good friend of mine is a VW tech and sums them up as “they’re alright until they aren’t”.
The key thing with any DSG is to make sure it’s had the transmission oil and filter changed every 40k. Don’t automatically assume a full dealer history includes this, as they can and do miss it. You want to see explicit line items on invoices.
If there’s any doubt, or if the DSG services have been missed or run even slightly late, walk away.
This 100% if they have been missed at 40k walk away, the issue is that it is an expensive oil change so some people will leave itThe key thing with any DSG is to make sure it’s had the transmission oil and filter changed every 40k. Don’t automatically assume a full dealer history includes this, as they can and do miss it. You want to see explicit line items on invoices.
If there’s any doubt, or if the DSG services have been missed or run even slightly late, walk away.
I think the GTD uses a wet clutch DSG, which are better. As long as the fluid gets changed every 40k they should be fine.
When test driving it, when coming to a stop or moving off, listen for a metallic clattering sound. If you can notice it, that means the DMF is on its way out, which is 650 to replace at a specialist.
In the unlikely event the gearbox does fail, replacements from salvage cars can now be had off ebay for a grand. I guess labour will be quite expensive to replace it - you’ll need a transmission specialist to do it and some coding is required for the engine and gearbox to “learn” each other, but it won’t be the end of the world should it happen.
When test driving it, when coming to a stop or moving off, listen for a metallic clattering sound. If you can notice it, that means the DMF is on its way out, which is 650 to replace at a specialist.
In the unlikely event the gearbox does fail, replacements from salvage cars can now be had off ebay for a grand. I guess labour will be quite expensive to replace it - you’ll need a transmission specialist to do it and some coding is required for the engine and gearbox to “learn” each other, but it won’t be the end of the world should it happen.
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Wednesday 25th May 09:16
I had a 2004 A3, 3.2 with the 6-speed wet clutch DSG, did 90k in my ownership with no problems, I did do the oil/filter change as required.
IMO if serviced properly and no faults apparent then it's probably OK but, personally I wouldn't be looking at a 100k+ mile car regardless of service history, gearbox type etc.
IMO if serviced properly and no faults apparent then it's probably OK but, personally I wouldn't be looking at a 100k+ mile car regardless of service history, gearbox type etc.
2010 Golf GTD (well, "sportline" as they called it then) estate owner here. Coming up to 150k miles, never had a problem with the DSG. IIRC there was a Golf GTI in Readers' Cars that had over 300k on its original DSG.
Make sure the one you're looking at had the gearbox oil replaced at 40k and 80k (and perhaps use the impending 120k mile change as leverage for some money off). If it hasn't, walk away.
As far as testing goes, you shouldn't notice the box. It should change smoothly and quietly.
And age, not miles, kills cars.
Make sure the one you're looking at had the gearbox oil replaced at 40k and 80k (and perhaps use the impending 120k mile change as leverage for some money off). If it hasn't, walk away.
As far as testing goes, you shouldn't notice the box. It should change smoothly and quietly.
And age, not miles, kills cars.
Mr Dendrite said:
Had a 2015 GTD from new, knocked in just over 90,000 miles in four years. Absolutely faultless mechanically. Bit of an issue with the sat nav initially. Probably a better all round car than the GTi performance that followed it, but not as much fun.
Same experience I’ve had, Sat Nav played up until the dealer updated the software. We’ve owned our 2015 DSG from new, issues to look for is just to check that the cam belt and water pump have been done and the DSG service at around 100k.Only issue if it’s got cloth seats is wear to the bolster which looks unsightly, I’m about to get ours repaired as you can get the correct fabric F1404 VW T6 Clip Black (I’ve tested with a sample and it’s identical)
But they are pretty bullet proof cars, they use a bit of oil, so check it regularly. Pal of mine has one with 150,000 miles and has had no issues.
vikingaero said:
I've found that the main dealer fixed price servicing for a DSG oil and filter change is cheaper than nearly all the independents.
I found this too, and VW is cheaper than Skoda. I get the impression there's some kind of VW support for DSG oil changes.
I spoke to a well regarded, gearbox Specalist, he quoted me £260 + VAT for it.
The VW dealer quoted a fixed price of £180 but wouldn't Service my Skoda.
Skoda dealer charged me £215 inc VAT, less than the parts would cost the Specalist, or so he said.
Gunk said:
Only issue if it’s got cloth seats is wear to the bolster which looks unsightly, I’m about to get ours repaired as you can get the correct fabric F1404 VW T6 Clip Black (I’ve tested with a sample and it’s identical)
So I ended up buying the car. It was in really fantastic condition, had full VW main dealer service history, and all DSG services done. The dealer did the next DSG service, a normal service and an MOT free of charge. He'd even had the diamond-cut alloys refurbed so they look like new. No advisories on the MOT. I test drove it and it felt perfect.The interior is very clean and tidy but it has got some wear on the bolster like they all seem to, not badly ripped but worn pretty thin so I would like to get it redone. Really useful info about the fabric, many thanks for that!! Where are you sourcing the fabric?
Things like the EGR valve and flywheel won't last forever, but if it's been driven with a little bit of mechanical sympathy and good maintenance there's no reason they can't have life left in them.
That's a strong engine, a generally strong gearbox, in a generally strong car (where common faults are well documented). My GTI is on 90k and going fine, no plans to change it in the next few years/50k miles.
That's a strong engine, a generally strong gearbox, in a generally strong car (where common faults are well documented). My GTI is on 90k and going fine, no plans to change it in the next few years/50k miles.
MonkeyMalloo said:
So I ended up buying the car. It was in really fantastic condition, had full VW main dealer service history, and all DSG services done. The dealer did the next DSG service, a normal service and an MOT free of charge. He'd even had the diamond-cut alloys refurbed so they look like new. No advisories on the MOT. I test drove it and it felt perfect.
The interior is very clean and tidy but it has got some wear on the bolster like they all seem to, not badly ripped but worn pretty thin so I would like to get it redone. Really useful info about the fabric, many thanks for that!! Where are you sourcing the fabric?
I did DM you, did you receive my replyThe interior is very clean and tidy but it has got some wear on the bolster like they all seem to, not badly ripped but worn pretty thin so I would like to get it redone. Really useful info about the fabric, many thanks for that!! Where are you sourcing the fabric?
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