Which DSG do you have? How to identify your gearbox

Every guide to DSG faults starts with the same question: which gearbox is in the car? The answer decides which faults to expect, which oil to use and how often to service it. The badge on the boot does not tell you. A Golf with a "DSG" badge could have any of three different gearboxes.

Step 1: find the gearbox code

Look for the sticker with the car's build data. On most VW group cars it is in the spare-wheel well in the boot, and a copy sits in the service booklet. It carries a three-letter gearbox code. The same code is usually stamped on the gearbox casing or printed on the data plate.

A parts supplier or a dealer can turn that three-letter code, or your VIN, into the gearbox family. Give them the VIN. It removes the guesswork.

Step 2: match the family number

Gearbox part numbers begin with a short family number. This is the number most guides refer to:

If the part number on your paperwork starts with one of these, you have your answer.

Step 3: use the engine and year as a cross-check

Torque limits shape which gearbox a manufacturer fits. As a rule of thumb:

• Small petrol engines and the 1.6 TDI usually get the DQ200, which is limited to roughly 250 Nm.
• 2.0 TDI and GTI-level engines usually get a wet-clutch box such as the DQ250 or, on newer cars, the DQ381.
• Heavy-duty and high-torque applications, such as vans and some RS models, use the DQ500.
• Audis with the engine mounted lengthwise (A4, A5, A6, Q5) use the DL501, called S tronic.

This is a cross-check, not proof. The same model can change gearbox between model years, so confirm with the code.

What the result tells you

Once you know the family, the useful follow-ups are short:

• DQ200: read the DQ200 mechatronic guide. Its dry clutches also behave differently from wet ones, covered in dry and wet clutch DSG compared.
• DQ250: see common DQ250 problems.
• DQ381: see common DQ381 problems.
• DL501: see S tronic 0B5 problems.
• Any wet-clutch box: check the oil change interval.

Common mistakes

• Going by the model name. Golf, Octavia and Leon all appear with several different gearboxes.
• Going by the number of gears alone. Six gears points to the DQ250. Seven gears could be any of four boxes.
• Using the wrong oil. Wet-clutch boxes need the oil specified for that gearbox. Checking the family number first avoids a costly mistake. More in the oil change guide.

FAQ

Is DSG the same as S tronic?

They are the same idea. DSG is the Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda name. S tronic is the Audi name. Audi uses both the transverse DQ boxes and the longitudinal DL501.

Does the badge on the car tell me the gearbox?

No. The badge says the car has a dual-clutch gearbox. It does not say which one.

Can I tell by the sound?

Not reliably. Use the code and the part number.