A local independent garage near me has just recently posted on their Facebook page that they are now fully qualified to carry out repairs and servicing on DSG gearboxes. They partly market one of the advantages of this as being able to save money over going to a proper dealership.

I haven't heard of any other garages around me that are qualified to do this work, so still wouldn't be sure about taking it to them over a dealership. Does anyone else have any experience of using independent garages to carry out work on a DSG box?

There was a recent post on here about an Independent that was qualified to do work, maybe the same, 

or one of the main Independents that can because they are owned by or have employees that are fully trained VWG Technicians with all the gear, licensed and able to properly use the equipment. ie all the gear and an idea.

 

What kind of work do you want doing on a DQ200 DSG that does not need servicing?

There are plenty of Automatic Specialists that can change Clutch Packs or MCU's and do Software Updates, or Independent VW Specialists.

 

Skoda UK and VW, SEAT, Audi UK have been replacing and paying for repairs with faulty DQ200 7 Speed twin dry clutch DSG even out of warranty.

The reason being there were Fundamental Design, Manufacturing, Component or Fluid choice issues 

or Quality Control failings, and VW knew that while the Cars / DSG's were in Manufacturers Warranty 

but only began Service Campaigns in the UK from May 2014.

Many cars that are eligible still never having had it done, and for some owners it came too late when done.

http://master.skoda-auto.com/mini-apps/recall-actions

Edited 22 May, 201610 yr by GoneOffSKi

I know about the service campaign to change the oil, in all honesty I think I was one of the first people to have it done/know about it. Or at least I remember starting the first thread on here about it after a dealer mentioned it to me.

And i didn't want it serviced, but I think at some point it will need the clutch pack replaced, and was thinking about what sort of money it would cost me at an independent against a dealership.

Simples really you ask both, and the Independent will pretty much quote accurately and the Service Desk Manager or Receptionist will 

likely not have a clue.

I have and it was (and continues to be) a horrendous experience! 

I bought my current car in Sep 14.

Oct 14 the DSG started making a horrible grinding noise, then a day later it started to jump in and out of gear.

I took it back to the trader I bought it from, on the back of a AA truck, who paid for an indie to have it repaired. It turned out to be a bearing collapsed inside. The box was overhauled; new bearing's fitted, new clutch pack etc.

However, this is where it gets crappy, in June 15 I noticed a small oil leak on the floor, which when I inspected turned out to be from the DSG. It collected on the under tray for months, then eventually found its way to the ground. 

I took it back to the trader, who didn't want to know, his "mechanic" tightened the sump plug and sent me on my way, he wouldn't tell me who respired it and the owners wouldn't even come to speak to me about it. 

I then sent emails to all of the gearbox repairers in the region asking if they repaired it and one came back confirming they carried out the work. 

They accepted responsibility, said it was leaking from the seal between the bell housing and casing and said they would repair it under warranty. They had it almost 2 weeks and i got it back, with instructions to take it back after a month. 

I did and it still leaked, which they then diagnosed it to be from the oil pan, so again agreed to fit a new pan and gasket.

However it still leaked, when i went back they palmed me off. I spoke to the trader who, again didn't want to know. 

At the beginning of Oct I made a complaint to the finance company, who were told by the trader, who was told by the indie that it was 100% leaking from the oil pan, and as a gesture of good will would pay for the labour to repair it, and the trader pay for the parts. I declined the offer and escalated it to the ombudsman on the basis it already had a new oil pan and since this being fitted neither of them had seen the car, so how they knew where it was leaking from there was either magic, or, more likely to be the case, they were dragging it out until Nov, when the 12 month warranty expired. I then jumped through the various hoops with the ombudsman, had it inspected independently twice to be told by an ombudsman in April this year they considered it all normal wear and tear!

 

What i should have done was took it to Audi and got a new box fitted, then took the trader to small clams to recover the cost; I spoke to Audi in  Nov 14 and when i described the problem they said they wouldn't repair internal faults as such, but replace the whole unit with a reconditioned one, at a cost of £5,700. 

 

To answer the question regarding cost, the trader paid just shy of £2,000 for the initial repair of mine. The majority of the costs were labour though, I think the parts were around £700.

 

The car still leaks oil now! I'm off work at half term and I'm taking it to someone I've used before when i had my Octavia to see if he can repair it but obviously I'll be paying.

I have and it was (and continues to be) a horrendous experience! 

I bought my current car in Sep 14.

Oct 14 the DSG started making a horrible grinding noise, then a day later it started to jump in and out of gear.

I took it back to the trader I bought it from, on the back of a AA truck, who paid for an indie to have it repaired. It turned out to be a bearing collapsed inside. The box was overhauled; new bearing's fitted, new clutch pack etc.

However, this is where it gets crappy, in June 15 I noticed a small oil leak on the floor, which when I inspected turned out to be from the DSG. It collected on the under tray for months, then eventually found its way to the ground. 

I took it back to the trader, who didn't want to know, his "mechanic" tightened the sump plug and sent me on my way, he wouldn't tell me who respired it and the owners wouldn't even come to speak to me about it. 

I then sent emails to all of the gearbox repairers in the region asking if they repaired it and one came back confirming they carried out the work. 

They accepted responsibility, said it was leaking from the seal between the bell housing and casing and said they would repair it under warranty. They had it almost 2 weeks and i got it back, with instructions to take it back after a month. 

I did and it still leaked, which they then diagnosed it to be from the oil pan, so again agreed to fit a new pan and gasket.

However it still leaked, when i went back they palmed me off. I spoke to the trader who, again didn't want to know. 

At the beginning of Oct I made a complaint to the finance company, who were told by the trader, who was told by the indie that it was 100% leaking from the oil pan, and as a gesture of good will would pay for the labour to repair it, and the trader pay for the parts. I declined the offer and escalated it to the ombudsman on the basis it already had a new oil pan and since this being fitted neither of them had seen the car, so how they knew where it was leaking from there was either magic, or, more likely to be the case, they were dragging it out until Nov, when the 12 month warranty expired. I then jumped through the various hoops with the ombudsman, had it inspected independently twice to be told by an ombudsman in April this year they considered it all normal wear and tear!

 

What i should have done was took it to Audi and got a new box fitted, then took the trader to small clams to recover the cost; I spoke to Audi in  Nov 14 and when i described the problem they said they wouldn't repair internal faults as such, but replace the whole unit with a reconditioned one, at a cost of £5,700. 

 

To answer the question regarding cost, the trader paid just shy of £2,000 for the initial repair of mine. The majority of the costs were labour though, I think the parts were around £700.

 

The car still leaks oil now! I'm off work at half term and I'm taking it to someone I've used before when i had my Octavia to see if he can repair it but obviously I'll be paying.

wow - what a horrible experience! That was my only other thinking aside from cost, is that it seems like you've got more of a leg to stand on should something go wrong, if you go to a main dealer. More/higher options to speak or complain to if things don't go well etc.