My Skoda Octavia's transmission failed COMPLETELY last week, just stopped in the middle of the road with a 'transmission error' light flashed on the dash, luckily a couple of passers by helped me push it to the side of a very busy road, no-one died.

Car is 67k's old and out of warranty and yes the transmission is the notorious DSG7. Towed to Skoda servicing depot in Auckland and they tell me the mechatronic unit has failed and the recommended factory fix is to replace the unit ($4.2K plus GST) or they can try a non-warranty repair on the unit for about a grand, no guarantee. Car was regularly serviced by a non Skoda mechanic and Giltrap Skoda have told me that if it was serviced by Giltrap Skoda then the unit would have been given a software update that MAY have extended the units life. Surely this is complete ****** knowing what I now know about this faulty VW mechatronic unit, it's history of being recalled etc.

Would like to hear your thoughts on which way to approach this.

Well this is awkward - first of all, hello fellow NZer. Second of all my 1.6 TDI with the 7 speed went through the exact same thing about a month ago. Mechatronics blew at 230ks. I was quoted just shy of $5,000 at Miles Continental in Christchurch, but luckily I have mechanical insurance, resulting in $570 NZD that I have to pay. If you don't have mechanical insurance then I'd say have a look for a second hand Mechatronics unit. If you PM me I'll give you the name of a wrecker down here that should have a few used ones you could opt for. 

 

Unfortunately, the Mechatronics unit seems to be the biggest problem on these transmissions. The fact that yours went at 67ks is a bit worrisome. Considering you're out of warranty I'd try go second hand.

 

All the best!

Yes AWWWKWARD all right and Kia Ora Marfohun how's it on the mainland? Blowing the mechatronic unit at 230k sounds like a dream come true but my sad case at 67k is just too ridiculous. However it appears Skoda NZ are coming to the party in a very small way to provide some 'customer satisfaction' around the issue - I assume that they then go and hassle VW for the $$. Altogether I believe these units should have been part of an official recall VW, pay the total bill (not the 'we'll go halves on a brand new unit and you pay full labour charge' concession) and it's instant power loss is cause for real danger to those caught unawares overtaking etc. They must officially recall these units!!!

 

Thanks for your well considered reply Marfrohun, awaiting a better offer from SNZ before I go down the 2nd hand path. Cheers!

2 hours ago, Pilsener said:

Yes AWWWKWARD all right and Kia Ora Marfohun how's it on the mainland? Blowing the mechatronic unit at 230k sounds like a dream come true but my sad case at 67k is just too ridiculous. However it appears Skoda NZ are coming to the party in a very small way to provide some 'customer satisfaction' around the issue - I assume that they then go and hassle VW for the $$. Altogether I believe these units should have been part of an official recall VW, pay the total bill (not the 'we'll go halves on a brand new unit and you pay full labour charge' concession) and it's instant power loss is cause for real danger to those caught unawares overtaking etc. They must officially recall these units!!!

 

Thanks for your well considered reply Marfrohun, awaiting a better offer from SNZ before I go down the 2nd hand path. Cheers!

 

No kidding, I might have stained my seat a little when it went out - jumped straight from 7th gear to 2nd within the blink of an eye. Thankfully it was only at 80km/h opposed to the 100km/h I was doing mere seconds ago! I don't think my mechanical warranty covers stained seats :( 

 

All the best with dealing with Skoda, they are usually pretty generous though. Let us know what happens fella