Lost Gears

[SkodaNige]

Hi All,

 

Am looking for a little help.

 

Driving home on Friday evening had to stop at a T Junction facing uphill onto flat road. When clear to go (am turning right) I pushed accelerator a little hard, took the turn and lifted. Revs went nearly full scale - even in Sports mode I rarely drive fast. - then settled down with Spanner flashing alternately with the D and gear (i.e. D1, D2 D3 as I went through the gears. Stopped, turned off Ignition and then approx five seconds started again and drove fine for the next 15miles home.

 

Sat I pottered about and everything ok.

 

Sun (today) driving to a Triathlon race engine/gears jumped, display again same as above. This time Exhaust Component Error amber light on dash. Found I only had odd gears 1 to 7. Finished drive to race. Left for a couple of hours and drove home. Ok for about two miles and then same again no even gears. Auto erratic as it tried to change by missing even gears so changed to Manual and drove home but lost D7 and then D5.

 

On long life service, done 91000 miles (serviced at approx 80,000), always Skoda serviced, was MOT'ed Tues no advisory's, gearbox oil changed some time back under recall.

 

Any ideas? Is this a common failure?  Do I have to remortgage house to repair??

 

Cheers

Nigel

[Sweeperman]

Settle down, how long ago was oil changed, any other work done under recall. Has it behaved itself before this and have you had it scanned for any codes? 

[SkodaNige]

Oil was changed at Variable service 21/10/15 at 79927miles

 

Everything been fantastic with the car for nearly five years (Brought from new Aug 2011)

 

Not had it scanned. At the moment  looking for some pointers to what decision to make. My local Skoda dealer is about 15miles away, have VW dealer 2miles and a VW/Skoda independent about ten miles away ( a little nervous with them as last year after checking my number plate told me cam belt required changing when in fact it is a chain)

 

Thanks

Nigel

Edited 29 May, 2016 by SkodaNige

[Sweeperman]

Gearbox oil was changed at that time or you talking about service engine oil. Anyway, youll tell very little without a scan of fault codes. Its only guess work at the minute. Could be big or could be simple, once youre scanned then you can make decisions rather than relying on an internet diagnosis

[SkodaNige]

Gearbox was a couple of years ago, under a standard recall - will have a think of what to do tomorrow.

 

Thanks

Nigel

[TheClient]

If the recall is still outstanding that is one angle. DSG transmission oil and filter due on/before 40K miles. it's amazing how many get missed and how many say nobody told me.  Fault codes would help (possibly a lot).

 

Edit: recall carried out in last post, maybe some warranty? 

Edited 30 May, 2016 by TheClient

[brad1.8T]

If the recall is still outstanding that is one angle. DSG transmission oil and filter due on/before 40K miles. it's amazing how many get missed and how many say nobody told me.  Fault codes would help (possibly a lot).

 

Edit: recall carried out in last post, maybe some warranty? 

1.4TSI will be the DSG7 which doesn't have a maintenance schedule.

 

The oil change recall was due to the original oil affecting the wiring inside the gearbox.

 

OP:  VW (down here) extended the warranty on the 7 speed.  Maybe that's also the case in the UK.  I'd suggest you contact customer service and clarify the warranty situation and see if it's worth a trip to the dealer.

[TheClient]

1.4TSI will be the DSG7 which doesn't have a maintenance schedule.

 

The oil change recall was due to the original oil affecting the wiring inside the gearbox.

 

OP:  VW (down here) extended the warranty on the 7 speed.  Maybe that's also the case in the UK.  I'd suggest you contact customer service and clarify the warranty situation and see if it's worth a trip to the dealer.

Yes, thanks for correcting Brad. I was assuming 6sp wet clutch type DSG when writing the reply above.  

[SkodaNige]

I limped to my local garage (not skoda/vw). He checked on a non branded tester which found a fault but after clearing came straight back up, something like 'implausable gearbox sensor' (I was looking over his shoulder).

 

After breakfast will be on to local Skoda dealer

 

Thanks

Nigel

[Phil-E]

So sounds like one of the sensors inside the box is either broken and giving a reading way out of range or the sensor is fine and reading is correct and something has gone wrong inside.

 

Hopefully it's just a sensor but might still require a mechatronics swap if it's the electrics in there that are at fault.

 

I think given that your car has a full Skoda service history and that it had the gearbox repair work done that you have a good case for some goodwill payment for any repairs.

[SkodaNige]

Well we will see as it's booked in.

 

Nigel

[SkodaNige]

I will start with the good news...

 

Now the bad news - £5200.

 

Skoda UK not interested, their attitude was appalling, so a four and half year car is write off. I just cannot believe it. Thank god we didn't buy the Fabia VRS that the Mrs wanted a couple of months ago. This is my last Skoda. I am not angry at the Skoda dealer I used to service the car, they were great but don't see the point of using main dealer again.

 

I feel like a mug for thinking buying a new car, servicing at main dealer would give me peace of mind and something that would last. My Citroen Xsara went ten years without an issue and we only changed it cos my Mrs was ill and lost the use of her left arm/hand so we needed an automatic.

 

I would be a bit more pragmatic if it was a VRS racing round the streets etc but its a 1.4 that I drove carefully to maximise fuel.

 

Nige

[Pete T]

I will start with the good news...

 

Now the bad news - £5200.

 

Skoda UK not interested, their attitude was appalling, so a four and half year car is write off. I just cannot believe it. Thank god we didn't buy the Fabia VRS that the Mrs wanted a couple of months ago. This is my last Skoda. I am not angry at the Skoda dealer I used to service the car, they were great but don't see the point of using main dealer again.

 

I feel like a mug for thinking buying a new car, servicing at main dealer would give me peace of mind and something that would last. My Citroen Xsara went ten years without an issue and we only changed it cos my Mrs was ill and lost the use of her left arm/hand so we needed an automatic.

 

I would be a bit more pragmatic if it was a VRS racing round the streets etc but its a 1.4 that I drove carefully to maximise fuel.

 

Nige

 

What is the exact diagnosis you've been given? A used gearbox may be an option or you could make an official complaint to Skoda rather than letting them fob you off. 

[SkodaNige]

What is the exact diagnosis you've been given? A used gearbox may be an option or you could make an official complaint to Skoda rather than letting them fob you off. 

 

At present the diagnosis is Mechatronic unit has failed. After a phone round found I could get one supplied and fitted for £1200 which I thought was a bit low compared to £5000.

 

I then called my usual Skoda Garage and after some discussion found I have been quoted for Gearbox and Mechatronic unit. Usual repair for my fault description is in deed Gearbox and Mechatronic unit. He did say I could just have the Mechatronic unit replaced by Skoda at £1700 BUT if the fault is in Gearbox not Mechatronic unit I would then have to pay another £5000 to have Gearbox AND Mechatronic changed as the first unit not returnable.

[blackspaven]

Not being funny, but have you thought as a last resort of going to the press? I went to them with just a wheel that was obviously problematic under the finish, SUK weren't interested, called one of the motoring mags who picked it up and did an article where they had me pictured next to my wheel, and quelle surprise, I got a new wheel and 50% of my next service (which I waited until it was a major... balls to 'em!!). I didn't tell SUK I was gonna do it though, so they had a nice surprise coming. Can't remember if it was Autocar, Autoexpress or What Car, one of those

 

And that was with a WHEEL!! If you were to say it already had a gearbox recall, is under 5 years old (dunno how much sale of goods act would work here?) and you got the car because your wife became ill, they would snap your arm off to get it in their magazine!! It's like a holy trinity!

 

Remember, last resort, hold your cards close to your chest.

[brad1.8T]

you could make an official complaint to Skoda rather than letting them fob you off. 

This would be my path.

 

Whatever your consumer affairs / small claims system allows.

 

The DQ200 gearbox isn't fit for purpose and this is a known and well publicised issue.

 

Don't forget to make a representation directly to both Skoda CZ and VAG in Germany.  Nobody can afford to throw away that much in either repairs or writing-off the vehicle.

 

Info from other parts of the world

http://volkswagenaustralia.com.au/DSGvoluntaryrecall/faq

 

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/volkswagen-recalling-16-million-cars-globally-to-fix-dsg-gearboxes-71053.html

 

http://www.carnewschina.com/2012/05/31/chinese-car-buyers-complain-about-dsg-volkswagen-extends-warranty/

[TheClient]

I would pursue this for an outcome. There is nothing to lose by trying to press a bit harder as long as you can endure the time and frustration in doing so and there is potentially a lot to gain.

 

You're in a stronger position than most based on what I understand you've said i) you're the original purchaser and ii) you've got full dealer history.

 

Two angles you can pursue.

 

a) Skoda UK - goodwill.  Car owned from new and full dealer service history. Car under 5 years.  Transmission failure is a known issue and you should be shown assistance by skoda to resolve this premature failure. and / or

 

b.) Skoda dealer who sold you car - Consumer Law implied terms based. Used to be sale of goods but now Consumer Rights Act. Principles are the same though, this is where fit for purpose and satisfactory quality and reasonable durability would come in.  This is statutory area of consumer law and more definite than the Skoda UK goodwill gestures, which are ultimately discretionary (as you have found out).

 

You could try to pursue both or one after the other.  If you approach the dealer in a formal way (letter setting out claim), they will probably try to engage Skoda UK anyway, so that is probably the route I'd follow.

 

If you don't feel comfortable writing the letter, If you have legal cover on your insurance (house or car) you may want to review the policy for cover and try to get some advice from them (edit: they often have helplines for advice) on constructing a letter or Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help or a knowledgeable friend or family member. 

 

Edit: PS. did the dealer indicate the policy that applies to vehicles which have had the recall carried out? i.e. any extension to warranty? 

Edited 6 June, 2016 by TheClient

[Phil-E]

I'd say you have a strong case for Skoda UK to be paying the bill!

 

A gearbox that only lasts under 5 years is not fit for purpose.

 

Failures on the DQ200 7 speed DSG is a well known issue with VAG. That is the whole reason they issued a service campaign for oil change and software update to try and prevent further failures. So they have essentially issued a "sticking plaster" fix for a gearbox with an inherent fault.

 

I would keep pushing Skoda on this one and quote "The Consumer Rights Act 2015" at them.

[SkodaNige]

Been away busy but,

 

I have had the car recovered from dealer and taken to a specialist auto garage as have lost all confidence with skoda. I have stupidly believed the dealer would be trained by skoda to do a proper job wherever they are,

 

Difficult to emphasize how disgusted and upset I am with Skoda. 

 

Nige

[SkodaNige]

As an update,

 

The garage has informed me the gearbox had metal pieces inside, these were from the DMF. This asks more questions than answers. Can the car drive with no dmf? I drove it for a couple of days after the first issue.

Also - skoda dealer said gearbox had failed, no mention of the dmf - were they expecting me to say change gearbox and then sting me for more afterwards? £250 diagnostic report was waste of money

 

Anyway - have ordered a new Toyota, anyone want a Skoda Octavia with a refurb dsg gearbox??

 

Feel a little better after filling in the customer satisfaction email, not as if skoda will read it.

 

Cheers

Nigel