Worth the risk? "Slight leak on Mechatronic Unit"

[Otispunkmeyer]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

looking around for a Golf/Leon/A3/Octavia with a petrol engine and a DSG box.

This one isn't very far away and is a good price and looks in good nick. The dealer has, very honestly, noted that the mechatronics unit is showing a slight leak. Is it worth the risk? I am sure that line is putting a few off, but I have read that it could be just a case of tightening a bolt or replacing a gasket. I do have access to a workshop with lifts so I can do a lot of that kind of work myself quite easily.

Worth a squirt? or not with a barge pole?

Whilst I am here, which DSG/Engine combo is worth avoiding? I never heard good things about the 7-speed units in the smaller cars and nor the 1.4 twin charged (oil consumption). I can't tell what this car has but I suspect its 7-speed, I am just hoping its not the twin charged engine (though with 168bhp I suspect it might be).

Many thanks

[annodomini2]

Take someone with vcds and see if there is more to report

[Blaster72]

"Slight leak" , "Sold as seen" - for £6250 from a dealer. I wouldn't buy it, spec listed doesn't seem to match either. Lists park assist with fr/rear sensors - photos don't show them.

Last MoT is showing advisories for "Oil leak" which I guess is the aforementioned gearbox leak and "Front shock absorber has light misting of oil".

If it was really cheap, might be worth a look but not at that price.

Edited by Blaster72 on Friday 6th July 19:18

[Tomo1971]

When we had wifes DSG changed (Mechatronics and Clutch One) it was noted that there was an oil leak. That was probably the cause of the DSG failing - cost of £3k at a gearbox specialist - £5 to 6K quoted at a SEAT dealer.

Unless it was 4k under book, wouldnt touch it personally

[Condi]

Blaster72 said:

"Front shock absorber has light misting of oil".

I think they're designed like that.

My car has had 'shock absorber has light misting of oil' written on the last 4 or 5 MOT certificates, and some people say that they're designed like that, others tell me its going to fail, but after 4 years and 70,000+ miles its not been an issue.


Gearbox leak on the other hand.... Not worth the risk.

[snake_oil]

Sold as seen from a dealer?!

[Otispunkmeyer]

Will give it a miss then!

Anyway, doing some proper maths (not the man kind), has warned me off looking for this type of car now...cheers all.

[va1o]

Doesn’t seem that cheap either as I sold my 2011 2.0 TDI DSG for the same money 3-years ago! It had spend its life maintained at VW dealers and had no issues with the gearbox. You should be able to find a clean one easily enough I’d have thought