Skoda DSG gearbox failure

Author
Discussion

Steve Campbell

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

169 months

Friday 10th July 2015
quotequote all
Would like helpful advice for someone I know.

They have a 2012 Skoda Octavia with the 7 speed DSG gearbox. Reverse completely failed. Car was 3 months out of 3 yr warranty and < 60k miles. Cost of replacement (as it's a "sealed for life" unit)....close to £5k ! :-o

No other options offered. They have managed to reduce this price by going through the various management levels of complaint....but surely a gearbox that completely fails in just over 3 years / <60k miles is not fit for purpose ?

Thoughts on the issue...and thoughts on the routes of action please. They can ill afford the repair bill and the car is a must have for work. They are so "miffed" with the company they are considering a legal route of action. Thoughts on this aswell please.

Blaster72

10,870 posts

198 months

Friday 10th July 2015
quotequote all
http://www.gearboxnottingham.co.uk/

I'm taking it this is a main dealer?

First thing you need to do is get a second opinion from a gearbox specialist who deals with DSG boxes or a VAG specialist.

Could be numerous things and a broken gearbox would be last on my list for culprits.

What symptoms do you have? When you select R what is displayed on the dash?

Do all the other gears work, does neutral select ok, park?

Luckily for you, with some careful parking you can around for a long time without a reverse gear.

Steve Campbell

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

169 months

Friday 10th July 2015
quotequote all
Confirmed by Skoda as broken gearbox...."getting by" with no reverse is not an option.

Not my car by the way...just trying to gain some helpful advice on way forward in resolving with VAG.

Edited by Steve Campbell on Friday 10th July 10:25

Blaster72

10,870 posts

198 months

Friday 10th July 2015
quotequote all
Ok.

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

190 months

Friday 10th July 2015
quotequote all
Has the car been serviced through the main dealer network? Has it had the recommended DSG oil change?
If so, might be worth speaking directly to Skoda for goodwill. If not, why should they help, if the customer hasn't taken reasonable precautions to maintain it?

Targarama

14,635 posts

284 months

Friday 10th July 2015
quotequote all
This is going to cost you money. Personally I'd try an independent gearbox specialist. One near me seems very good (ran diagnostics on my BMW auto box and then serviced it - had DSG-boxed cars in the workshop). There are http://www.mechanicalworkshop.co.uk/

Steve Campbell

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

169 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
quotequote all
Hmmmm.. So the consensus is, tough luck....you pay. This seems to be the approach that Skoda are taking.

A fully "sealed for life" gearbox that fails in under 60k miles & just over 3 years and requires full replacement is not fit for purpose in my book.

Blaster72

10,870 posts

198 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
quotequote all
Its harsh Steve but if its out of warranty you're at the mercy of the manufacturer. That's why the sell extended warranties.

My advice still stands, get a second opinion from an independant before doing anything else.

As for "sealed for life" my DSG equipped Golf needs the gearbox oil and filter replacing every 40,000 miles.

Maybe later DSGs don't need it?? Something worth checking anyway.

Edited by Blaster72 on Saturday 11th July 19:30

Glosphil

4,360 posts

235 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all
Blaster72 said:
Its harsh Steve but if its out of warranty you're at the mercy of the manufacturer. That's why the sell extended warranties.

My advice still stands, get a second opinion from an independant before doing anything else.

As for "sealed for life" my DSG equipped Golf needs the gearbox oil and filter replacing every 40,000 miles.

Maybe later DSGs don't need it?? Something worth checking anyway.

Edited by Blaster72 on Saturday 11th July 19:30
DSG 6-speed (wet clutch) needs oil change every 40K miles. DSG 7-speed (dry-clutch) sealed for life?

the-photographer

3,486 posts

177 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all




daydotz

1,742 posts

162 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all
That's not strictly true they did recall a batch of DSG7 because they had the wrong oil in

catso

14,790 posts

268 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all
Blaster72 said:
Its harsh Steve but if its out of warranty you're at the mercy of the manufacturer. That's why the sell extended warranties.
Harsh indeed, whilst my DSG has been fine my A3 did have a camchain tensioner fault (quite common for the model) present itself a couple of years out of warranty, for which the Audi dealer originally quoted £1800 but eventually fixed for £400 including the due service (which they had already quoted at £380).

So I'm sure Skoda could do much better on the goodwill front.

the-photographer

3,486 posts

177 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all
Yep, with full service history you should expect something!

I got 20% off an A/C compressor with my six year old Golf.

sma

107 posts

136 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all
Have they actually complained to Skoda UK? Or is this complaint sitting with the dealers 'management'. Skoda were brilliant with my out of warranty VRS Octavia, so I am surprised they have not managed some form of resolution.

Blaster72

10,870 posts

198 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
quotequote all
the-photographer said:
Ta very much!

OP let us know how you get on.

Steve Campbell

Original Poster:

2,138 posts

169 months

Monday 13th July 2015
quotequote all
They are in touch with head office. A significant discount has been achieved but it's still a big chunk of cash for a car just out of warranty with a complete failure of a major part that is unable to be "fixed", has to be completely replaced. Also, they will only give a 2 year warranty on a completely brand new unit when fitted !

Owner has had it fitted....they need the car for work and can't afford to go through a protracted negotiation.....but still considering whether it's worth pursuing to get money back.

Knowing what I know now, I'd steer clear of this type of gearbox or move the car on before end of warranty period.