My father passed in March this year (2023) and left me his pride and joy a 67 plate Skoda Superb 2.0 TDi Estate Laurin & Klement. He loved to car, it was serviced regularly as per the schedule, and well looked after, although he did do a lot of miles (144k) whilst he was looking after my mother who has severe Alzheimer's disease. In August, driving along a gravel road I noticed a bang sound and assumed I'd gone over a large stone or hit a pot hole. Later warning light came on saying transmission failure and reverse gear was not available. I took the car to my local garage to have it checked out immediately. From the oil on the underside of the car, it was obvious that something bad had happened, indeed a bit of the casing dropped to the floor when the bottom plate was removed. The cost of a new gearbox is £5800 which is beyond my means. Since then I have been reading up about this gearbox, trying to find a replacement, but not entirely sure how to take things forward. My garage recommended speaking to Skoda UK to see if they might cover the repair costs as a good will gesture so I gave them a call. They said the car would need a diagnostic check carried out at a Skoda dealership, so I arranged for it to be moved to my local dealer. I got the call yesterday to say that it was a complete failure and that it would need a new gearbox which with fitting would cost around £8.1k. Does anyone think I have a leg to stand on here in terms of getting a result with Skoda UK or the dealership?

 

I have a strong sentimental attachment given it was my dad's car, so am loathed to sell it for scrap, but the reconditioned / remanufactured route also sounds risky, even though I have spoken to several "experts" who offer repair/replacement services, which of course is not cheap, but is more like half of what Skoda are quoting me.

12 minutes ago, StephenxP said:

Does anyone think I have a leg to stand on here in terms of getting a result with Skoda UK or the dealership?

Do you get aviating porcines often in Bucks?  

Welcome.

 

Did that regular servicing include the DSG getting and oil service @ 80,000 miles.  Maybe the OIl & Filter replaced?

I am guessing it is a DQ381 DSG that the car has. 

 

I would not expect Skoda UK to be covering the cost of repair or replacement.

 

It might have been the MCU (Mechatronic Control Unit) leaking and a new gearbox was not needed. 

But you will never know now.

 

*But if you actually did hit a big stone and not just think you did then sorry, but that is that.)

 

Did your reading bring up the several threads in Briskoda of members around the world with issues / failures of DQ381 DSG's?

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/513192-dsg-repair-costs-should-skoda-pay

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/511232-dsg-dq381

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/508475-gearbox-dq381-in-emergency-mode

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 7 September, 20232 yr by toot

19 minutes ago, toot said:

Welcome.

 

Did that regular servicing include the DSG getting and oil service @ 80,000 miles.  Maybe the OIl & Filter replaced?

I am guessing it is a DQ381 DSG that the car has. 

 

I would not expect Skoda UK to be covering the cost of repair or replacement.

 

It might be the MCU (Mechatronic Control Unit) leaking and a new gearbox is not needed. 

 

Did your reading bring up the several threads in Briskoda of members around the world with issues / failures of DQ381 DSG's?

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/511232-dsg-dq381

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you @tootfor your helpful and swift reply. Yes I believe mine is a DQ381. I had not read that post. From what the mechanics have told me, the casing of the gearbox has blown (caused by the dif ??). They did not mention the MCU as being the likely cause, it sounds to be more of a mechanical failure. I will speak to Skoda, even if my chances are hopeless, as I don't think it should be acceptable for this to happen to a car which is just 7 years old, rendering it an economical write off. Assuming they turn me down, and I wanted to get the car repaired, what would be your advice? As I mentioned I have had offers to attempt to repair the gearbox itself (not MCU) and have attempted to source replacement which varies between £1500-2500. If I had any certainty that the car would be fixed and working as well as can be expected for its age/mileage, I would be prepared to spend the money. I can't bring myself to part with the car in the circumstances.

28 minutes ago, toot said:

Welcome.

 

Did that regular servicing include the DSG getting and oil service @ 80,000 miles.  Maybe the OIl & Filter replaced?

I am guessing it is a DQ381 DSG that the car has. 

 

I would not expect Skoda UK to be covering the cost of repair or replacement.

 

It might be the MCU (Mechatronic Control Unit) leaking and a new gearbox is not needed. 

 

Did your reading bring up the several threads in Briskoda of members around the world with issues / failures of DQ381 DSG's?

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/511232-dsg-dq381

 

 

 

 

 

I am also checking whether the oil service was carried out at 80k miles with the garage that he used.

@StephenxP Does that mean it was not a Skoda Main Dealership that was doing the servicing on the car? 

 

?

Who thinks they can repair the gearbox? 

I doubt it very much and i think a refurbished DQ381 is the only option.

 

A used one from a breakers possible.

@Crashermight see this and be able to advise or comment.   Maybe @ApertureScan help or advise

Edited 7 September, 20232 yr by toot

1 hour ago, toot said:

Welcome.

 

Did that regular servicing include the DSG getting and oil service @ 80,000 miles.  Maybe the OIl & Filter replaced?

I am guessing it is a DQ381 DSG that the car has. 

 

I would not expect Skoda UK to be covering the cost of repair or replacement.

 

It might have been the MCU (Mechatronic Control Unit) leaking and a new gearbox was not needed. 

But you will never know now.

 

*But if you actually did hit a big stone and not just think you did then sorry, but that is that.)

 

Did your reading bring up the several threads in Briskoda of members around the world with issues / failures of DQ381 DSG's?

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/513192-dsg-repair-costs-should-skoda-pay

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/511232-dsg-dq381

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/508475-gearbox-dq381-in-emergency-mode

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting that the DQ381 is the only variant that has an oil change twice the miles of the others........wonder if this could be part of the reason this gear box has a higher failure rate?

Edited 7 September, 20232 yr by Donweather

Also VW say no filter change.

 

There are failures before ones have done anything like 40,000 miles so no the 80,000 oil change interval will not be the cause with those.

Maybe those 40,000-80,000 could be said to be because of the service regime.

 

Time will tell. it will come out in the wash.

Maybe VW Group will change the Service Intervals, in Europe or Globally.  Vorsprung Durch Technik.  

 

19 minutes ago, toot said:

@StephenxP Does that mean it was not a Skoda Main Dealership that was doing the servicing on the car? 

 

?

Who thinks they can repair the gearbox? 

I doubt it very much and i think a refurbished DQ381 is the only option.

 

A used one from a breakers possible.

@Crashermight see this and be able to advise or comment.   Maybe @ApertureScan help or advise

Speaking with the garage where his regular servicing took place, they do not carry out DSG oil changes, but he did have work carried out at the main dealership which I am checking now as well. Two companies, one based on Yorkshire (known to Dad's mechanic) and a one in Kent both said they would see if they could repair the gearbox and if not source a refurbished/remanufactured one and carry out the replacement. There is an automatic gearbox specialist nearby (STA in Aylesbury) and I am speaking with a local car parts company with a view to sourcing a refurbished gearbox. I understand the coding is important on the mechatronic and was led to believe that the gearbox MCU had to have the same code, or recoding would be necessary. Any advice around this would be welcomed. Thank you

2 hours ago, StephenxP said:

I will speak to Skoda, even if my chances are hopeless, as I don't think it should be acceptable for this to happen to a car which is just 7 years old,

With 144000 miles.

 

Surely you are not being serious?

3 hours ago, StephenxP said:

Thank you @tootfor your helpful and swift reply. Yes I believe mine is a DQ381. I had not read that post. From what the mechanics have told me, the casing of the gearbox has blown (caused by the dif ??). They did not mention the MCU as being the likely cause, it sounds to be more of a mechanical failure. I will speak to Skoda, even if my chances are hopeless, as I don't think it should be acceptable for this to happen to a car which is just 7 years old, rendering it an economical write off. 

 

A 7 yr old Superb will not have the 7-speed DQ381 gearbox.

That variant didn't show up until recently.

It will have the 6-speed DQ250 gearbox.

 

Either way, hope u have a happy ending n u get to keep the car.

They were introduced in MY 2018 cars.

 

A 67 plate car is registered in the UK from 1st September 2017.

 

The OP can maybe confirm if the car has a 7 speed DSG since they were driving it. 

2 minutes ago, toot said:

They were introduced in MY 2018 cars.

 

A 67 plate car is registered in the UK from 1st September 2017.

 

The OP can maybe confirm if the car has a 7 speed DSG since they were driving it. 

Thank you. Its a 2017 (6 year-old) and is the DQ381 7-speed gearbox. Turns out the oil was not changed at 80k so I'm not holding my breath with Skoda. Best case now is that I get a reconditioned unit and also get the MCU fixed which I understand has also been affected. Some places I spoke to only said they would be able to deal with the mechanical part of the gearbox. If anyone out there including your contacts @toot could help me source a good reconditioned DSG, I would be most grateful. Thank you 

If there are any they are going to appear on Ebay as much as any place else. 

 

A specialist that deals with DSG,s is your best bet.

That will not be all Automatic Specialists. 

9 minutes ago, StephenxP said:

Turns out the oil was not changed at 80k 

 

That's frustrating.  Maybe worth having a word with the garage your father used?  As a bare minimum it may bring them to the conclusion that these boxes need servicing.  There's been many discussions on here about what the term "full dealer service history" means.  Many believe it to have covered everything that a car requires.  Unfortunately you have discovered this not to be the case.  Even more frustrating is independents (sounds like your father used one?) are usually more clued up about this sort of thing.

20 minutes ago, toot said:

If there are any they are going to appear on Ebay as much as any place else. 

 

A specialist that deals with DSG,s is your best bet.

That will not be all Automatic Specialists. 

Ok, thank you for all your comments and advice. I'll keep you posted with how I get on.

20 minutes ago, MarkyG82 said:

 

That's frustrating.  Maybe worth having a word with the garage your father used?  As a bare minimum it may bring them to the conclusion that these boxes need servicing.  There's been many discussions on here about what the term "full dealer service history" means.  Many believe it to have covered everything that a car requires.  Unfortunately you have discovered this not to be the case.  Even more frustrating is independents (sounds like your father used one?) are usually more clued up about this sort of thing.

Indeed. The independent said they don't deal with auto gearboxes and he would have made that clear to my dad, but I guess he must have been preoccupied caring for my mum and he didn't get round to doing it. Out of character for him as he knew his cars and knew what needed to be done. It's a good point though about awareness around the proper servicing. I understand this is a sealed unit, but also acknowledge that the gearbox hasn't been serviced as per recommendation, but I would have hoped and still hope to get many more miles out of this car. It feels knew or at least did before the gearbox went.

Sadly DSG,s and servicing is very much a mystery and no help for owners / drivers from Skoda / VW Dealerships who might well do up-selling but not let people know about important Servicing & Maintenance.  Really because the Service desk or Sales staff know nothing about it.

They sell Approved Used cars that have not been Serviced to the Manufacturers guidelines, recommendations or specification and have done for many years. 

 

It is not a sealed unit, and a DQ200 DSG with no service interval is not a sealed unit.

That term is another Main Dealership issue.  Used by those without a clue about cars or mechanics of cars.

 

Your father might well have been told that 7 speed DSG,s do not require services / Oil changes. because that is told daily to owners at main dealerships by staff on a service desk.

Edited 7 September, 20232 yr by toot

55 minutes ago, toot said:

 

Your father might well have been told that 7 speed DSG,s do not require services / Oil changes. because that is told daily to owners at main dealerships by staff on a service desk.

 

This.  Many service desk staff assume that all 7sp boxes are the same old dry clutch units that don't have any service regime.  

2 hours ago, toot said:

Sadly DSG,s and servicing is very much a mystery and no help for owners / drivers from Skoda / VW Dealerships who might well do up-selling but not let people know about important Servicing & Maintenance.  Really because the Service desk or Sales staff know nothing about it.

They sell Approved Used cars that have not been Serviced to the Manufacturers guidelines, recommendations or specification and have done for many years. 

 

It is not a sealed unit, and a DQ200 DSG with no service interval is not a sealed unit.

That term is another Main Dealership issue.  Used by those without a clue about cars or mechanics of cars.

 

Your father might well have been told that 7 speed DSG,s do not require services / Oil changes. because that is told daily to owners at main dealerships by staff on a service desk.

So if it is not a sealed unit, then a stone from the gravel road might have caused the damage? Or am I really clutching at straws now?? I'd like to think (in a way) that Dad wasn't aware of the servicing intervals, or was mislead by the garage that he trusted. Either way it didn't happen and most likely led to the failure. What could I have expected from this gearbox in terms of mileage had it been serviced at 80k? A dealership told me earlier that they have seen cars with the same gearbox having done over 280k miles. I'm not thinking I'll do that many but it has to be part of the decision as to whether I spend £4-8k on repairs to a car which has done over 140k miles already.

They must have seen one that was serviced @ 80,000, 160,000, 240,000 or sooner then.

 

Which little liar was that, service manager or Master Tech. 

There will be 47,000 miles a year cars with a DQ381 out there.     Your dad put the miles on his one.

 

Sadly there are people at dealerships without a clue. 

Edited 7 September, 20232 yr by toot

You are all assuming that it’s an internal failure caused by lack of servicing.

 

Rather than the failure being ‘total failure’ I’d be asking what specifically has failed. Has a boulder came up and smashed the gearbox causing it to loose fluid, had a bearing failed, has the pump failed? There are these and so many more cause of failure and all the speculation without a true confirmed cause won’t help anyone.

(Unless I’ve missed a stated reason for failure among all this)

11 minutes ago, ApertureS said:

You are all assuming that it’s an internal failure caused by lack of servicing.

 

Rather than the failure being ‘total failure’ I’d be asking what specifically has failed. Has a boulder came up and smashed the gearbox causing it to loose fluid, had a bearing failed, has the pump failed? There are these and so many more cause of failure and all the speculation without a true confirmed cause won’t help anyone.

(Unless I’ve missed a stated reason for failure among all this)

Thanks @ApertureS and you're right. My remark before about the gravel getting into the gearbox was along similar lines. It wasn't a boulder though, something small (like a piece of gravel) might have caused it maybe? Is that the council's fault, or is it a fault of the gearbox? Can this DSG gearbox have such a catastrophic failure for no obvious reason?

2 minutes ago, StephenxP said:

Thanks @ApertureS and you're right. My remark before about the gravel getting into the gearbox was along similar lines. It wasn't a boulder though, something small (like a piece of gravel) might have caused it maybe? Is that the council's fault, or is it a fault of the gearbox? Can this DSG gearbox have such a catastrophic failure for no obvious reason?

There will be a reason for it and it just takes someone doing a proper diagnosis to discover it.

If something picked up off the road and damaged it, you’d expect undertray damage or some kind of impact damage to the gearbox or tray. Has anyone checked for it.

even if something did hit it from the road, you’ll never prove it and the council would never pay for it.

 

you’re on your own with this one, Skoda won’t be paying a penny and neither will the council, nor your insurer or anyone but yourself sadly.

 

What did they actually do to diagnose the problem and did you get any photos?

2 minutes ago, ApertureS said:

There will be a reason for it and it just takes someone doing a proper diagnosis to discover it.

If something picked up off the road and damaged it, you’d expect undertray damage or some kind of impact damage to the gearbox or tray. Has anyone checked for it.

even if something did hit it from the road, you’ll never prove it and the council would never pay for it.

 

you’re on your own with this one, Skoda won’t be paying a penny and neither will the council, nor your insurer or anyone but yourself sadly.

 

What did they actually do to diagnose the problem and did you get any photos?

No idea what they did and haven't had any photos. Did see it on the ramp at my independent garage when it first happened, but all I saw was oil everywhere and a piece of the casing broken off on the floor. To be honest I wasn't sure what I was looking at. In your view is the option of sourcing a refurbed/remanufactured unit a good way to go? What would you do in my position?