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2012 1.6tdi DSG buying advice

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2023 1:59 pm
by MTBPhil
I'm sort of considering selling my 2005 1.9tdi MTB/camper conversion on and buying a local 2012 1.6tdi

I really want DSG auto box and air con which this has and mine does not. I also much prefer the facelift with the xenon headlights and nicer bumper etc...

It's done 150k which is a fair bit but the van seemed to have been used for 3 years doing 30k a year according to MOT history, so likely a work fan on motorway stuff.

Is there anything common I should look for on service history? It's MOT history is really clean with nothing but discs and pads being raised.
I have heard the DSG gearboxes need servicing, are they likely to be problematic around that mileage?

Cheers in advance for any advice

Re: 2012 1.6tdi DSG buying advice

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:25 am
by Lambrettacraig
At 96000 my 1.6tdi DSG needed a clutch and flywheel. (Rattling tinny noise at idle) The DSG 7sp dry unit is mainly problem free. I believe they are are sealed unit, so no oil changes. But the Mechatronic unit attached (the electronic brains) can be a problem and is expensive unit to replace. Careful if increasing power though, the gearbox has a max restricted torque output and can lead to indifferent up and down changes. My own van has been mapped, gearbox not a problem.
1.6 also notorious for injector problems. I’d be surprised at 150k miles that these haven’t already been replaced though. Other than that regular servicing with an oil change in between every 6000 miles and mines been as good as gold.

Re: 2012 1.6tdi DSG buying advice

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:12 pm
by MTBPhil
Thanks mate

I stumbled upon the injector issue online but it turns out this van was owned for 3 years by a garage using it to deliver car parts. So pretty sure at 155k they will have been changed as you say.

The current owner mentioned that he had a DSG service (oil change and filter) and that the garage who owned the van replaced the mechatronic unit at a cost of £1500 - and he's had the oil changed in that since too.

I do want to get it remapped but more just an economy map at 130 rather than going nuts with power. I'll look into the DSG torque limit though.

Re: 2012 1.6tdi DSG buying advice

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:17 pm
by Simo242
I have a golf 1.6 dsg at 155k and the clutch is now slipping pretty sure it's on its first clutch, other than that the cars pretty solid, I did get the dpf and egr removed as it was going into limp mode, this was done at 140k