DSG gearbox

[yellowhillman]

Hi there. I am looking at buying a 2009 Passat 2.0 TDI CR Highline DSG 5dr with 67k on the clock but have been rather put off by all the bad stories about the dsg gearbox. Could somebody out there put me right on this. Should I just forget it and look for something else or is it just a lot of scare stories. I am sure there are problems with the gb as there are with all mechanical items. Is this one particularly bad?All information gratfully received.

[DMitch16]

Maintenance is key for a DSG box with gear oil and filter changes every 40k and there are odd Mechatronics issues that have occurred to some but the scale of problems needs to be put into context as the number of problems are TINY in relation to the number of DSG boxes in service still. Mine is at 164K and although a little notchy on down shift occasionally is still pretty smooth. The solenoids are probably a little worn so make more noise now but overall I have had 100,000 miles of trouble free DSG.

[RichardSEL]

Hi there. I am looking at buying a 2009 Passat 2.0 TDI CR Highline DSG 5dr with 67k on the clock but have been rather put off by all the bad stories about the dsg gearbox. Could somebody out there put me right on this. Should I just forget it and look for something else or is it just a lot of scare stories. I am sure there are problems with the gb as there are with all mechanical items. Is this one particularly bad?All information gratfully received.

When you go to buy on test drive put it in semi mode (shift lever to the left) then push forward manual change check the change up of each gear in turn. Any notchiness or bang then judge for your self. Do the same for going down thru the gears push backward. There are some speed restrictions that won't allow you to change into a gear -- that's by design.

See that you have a receipt for last DSG ATF and filter change within the last 40,000 miles? Or chop the price back by that amount if none.

Let us know how you get on?

[yellowhillman]

Thank you for all the information that you have given me. It has been very useful. One further question. If it turns out that the car (which has done 67k) has not had the DSG oil changed but drives well is it worth buying or is it going to be a very expensive mistake. I realise that there is not a definitive answer to this but your opinions would be appreciated.

[RichardSEL]

No idea. Check its service history in addition to the above tests. It's possibly service history starved if there's none recent.
Also. the brake fluid should've been changed within the last two years (says me who's overdue by three months... )