DSG, automatic & manual for Polo, Golf, Tiguan, Jetta, Passat and Amarok — DQ200, DQ250, DQ500, 09G Aisin auto, Amarok ZF 8-speed and MQ-series manuals. Compare free quotes from verified suppliers across South Africa.
DSG · Aisin Auto · ZF 8-Speed · Manual · Illustrative
DSG dual-clutch (DQ200, DQ250, DQ500), the 09G/09M Aisin torque-converter auto, the Amarok ZF 8-speed and the MQ-series manuals. Suppliers cover the full VW range.
Two same-looking autos can be a DSG or an Aisin box. Tell us your model, year and engine and we connect you with suppliers who match the exact unit and mechatronic.
Compare used OEM, reconditioned and new options — and ask whether the mechatronic / valve body is included, with warranty confirmed by each supplier.
VW Gearboxes
Indicative SA pricing by transmission code. Send your VIN for an exact match and a free quote.
Automatic Popular Code: DQ250 / 02E · 6-speed automatic
Automatic Popular Code: DQ200 / 0AM / 0CW · 7-speed automatic
Automatic Code: DQ500 / 0BT / 0DL · 7-speed automatic
Automatic Code: DQ381 / 0GC · 7-speed automatic
Automatic Code: 09G / 09M (TF-60SN) · 6-speed automatic
Automatic Code: ZF 8HP / 0CM · 8-speed automatic
Manual Code: 02T / 0A4 / 02Q · 5/6-speed manual
Product images are illustrative only — the exact gearbox varies by supplier, condition and VIN.
Price guide
Indicative ranges by model and transmission. Actual quotes depend on kilometres, condition, and used vs reconditioned — and whether the mechatronic is included.
| Model / Gearbox | Price Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Polo / Golf 1.4 TSI — DQ200 7-spd dry DSG | R9,500 – R32,500 |
| Golf / Tiguan 2.0 — DQ250 6-spd wet DSG | R9,500 – R38,500 |
| Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4MOTION — DQ500 7-spd wet DSG | R18,000 – R45,000 |
| Polo / Golf / Jetta auto — 09G/09M Aisin (NOT DSG) | R4,500 – R17,500 |
| Amarok auto — ZF 8-speed (0CM, NOT DSG) | R20,000 – R46,000 |
| Polo / Golf / Polo Vivo — MQ manual | R2,500 – R17,000 |
These are estimates based on current SA market data — request a free quote for an exact price on your specific model and year.
Condition & warranty
The same VW gearbox comes three ways in South Africa. Here's how they compare on price, warranty and what you get — so you can tell suppliers which to quote.
Tested second-hand unit removed from a low-mileage donor vehicle.
Stripped, rebuilt and tested — often on a core-exchange basis.
A brand-new unit — aftermarket or genuine OEM-grade.
Not sure which to pick? Send your VIN and ask suppliers to quote all three — you compare price and warranty side by side.
VW fits several transmissions that share no parts — dual-clutch DSGs on one side, torque-converter autos and manuals on the other. Find your box below, then send your VIN so suppliers quote the exact unit.
Two clutches, a mechatronic valve body — wet vs dry matters
The wet-clutch 6-speed behind the 2.0 Golf, Tiguan, Jetta and Passat — more durable than the dry DQ200.
The dry-clutch 7-speed (0AM/0CW) on the Polo and Golf 1.4 TSI — the most failure-prone box in the range; the mechatronic is the usual culprit.
The heavier wet DQ500 for 4MOTION / Transporter, and the DQ381 that replaced the DQ250 on the Golf 7.5 GTI / R (2017+).
Conventional autos and manuals — NOT dual-clutch DSGs
The 09G/09M (Aisin TF-60SN) is a conventional torque-converter automatic — fitted to many older auto Polos, Golfs and Jettas.
The Amarok automatic is a ZF 8-speed torque-converter box (0CM) — not a DSG and not the Touareg Aisin unit. A heavier-ticket box.
The MQ200 (02T/0A4) small manuals and the 5/6-speed MQ350 (02Q) — the cheapest and simplest VW boxes to source and repair.
DQ200 = dry 7-speed (the failure-prone one); DQ250 = wet 6-speed. The tiptronic 09G and the Amarok ZF 8HP are torque-converter autos, not DSGs — confirm wet-vs-dry and the exact box by VIN before you buy.
Still not sure? and suppliers will confirm the exact gearbox for you.
On the DSG boxes especially, most of these point to a tired mechatronic or worn clutch packs rather than a dead gearbox — so get it diagnosed before you replace the whole unit.
A DSG lives or dies on clean oil and how you drive it in traffic. A few habits go a long way on SA roads:
With VW the most important thing is to match the right gearbox, because the same model can carry boxes that share no parts. A Polo 1.4 TSI auto usually runs a DQ200 dry DSG, while an older auto Polo or Golf may instead have a 09G/09M Aisin torque-converter automatic — which is NOT a DSG. The 2.0 Golf and Tiguan use the wet DQ250, the Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4MOTION steps up to the heavier DQ500, and the Amarok automatic is a ZF 8-speed (code 0CM) — again not a DSG and not the Touareg Aisin box. If you're weighing up an engine at the same time, compare it against a used VW engine so you can plan the whole job — see the related-parts links below.
The 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200, codes 0AM/0CW) on the Polo, Golf and Polo GTI is the most failure-prone box in the VW range — shudder, clutch-pack wear and mechatronic faults are common. The part that usually fails is the mechatronic unit (the valve body plus control electronics), and it's frequently sold separately from the gearbox. A reconditioned DQ200 mechatronic runs around R19,950 and a DQ250 around R29,999 — so a cheap "DSG gearbox" can become a much bigger bill once the mechatronic is added. Always confirm whether a quote includes it. On smaller cars such as the Polo Vivo and T-Cross, the exact sub-code is best confirmed by VIN before you buy.
DSG judder, harsh shifts and limp-mode are often mechatronic or clutch-pack faults rather than a dead gearbox — so it's worth having the fault properly diagnosed before committing to a full box. If the car is older and you're weighing up the spend, it's also worth checking what it's worth for scrap first. Engine Finder is a marketplace — submit one free quote request and verified VW gearbox suppliers across South Africa come back to you with prices, warranties and availability across every make, not just Volkswagen.
A used VW manual starts around R2,500. DSG units run roughly R9,500 – R38,500 (used to reconditioned — the wet DQ250 can reach the top of that band), the heavier DQ500 R18,000 – R45,000, the 09G Aisin auto R4,500 – R17,500, and the Amarok ZF 8-speed R20,000 – R46,000. Prices depend heavily on used vs reconditioned and whether the mechatronic is included. Submit one quote request and compare verified suppliers for your exact model.
The Golf 4 (mk4) automatic is the older 01M four-speed torque-converter automatic — not a DSG and not the later 09G Aisin box, so don't cross-reference them. As an older, simpler four-speed it sits at the affordable end of the VW automatic range, with exact pricing depending on condition and used vs reconditioned. The Golf 4 1.6 and 2.0 autos commonly run this 01M box — confirm the code by VIN, then request a quote to compare verified suppliers on a used or reconditioned unit.
They are three completely different gearboxes that share no parts. DSG (DQ200 dry, DQ250 / DQ500 wet) is a dual-clutch box. The 09G/09M is an Aisin conventional torque-converter automatic — NOT a DSG. The Amarok automatic is a ZF 8-speed torque-converter box (code 0CM), again not a DSG and not the Touareg Aisin unit. They are not interchangeable, so when you request a quote tell us your model, year and engine so suppliers match the correct unit.
The 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200, codes 0AM/0CW) suffers clutch-pack wear, shudder and mechatronic faults — it is the box behind most VW dual-clutch demand. The mechatronic (valve body plus control electronics) is frequently the actual part that fails and is sold separately, which is why a cheap "DSG" can become a much bigger bill. That is exactly why there is strong demand for replacement units, and why matching the right one matters.
On DSG boxes the mechatronic unit is often the real cost and is frequently quoted separately from the gearbox. A reconditioned DQ200 mechatronic is around R19,950 and a DQ250 around R29,999, while a DQ500 valve body is around R14,995. A complete used box may include it; a reconditioned box may not. Always confirm what is included when you get a quote.
Three things decide it: your model and year, your engine, and whether it is an automatic or manual. For example a Polo 1.4 TSI auto usually runs a DQ200 dry DSG, while an older auto Polo may carry a 09G Aisin torque-converter box instead — completely different units. Some models such as the Polo Vivo and T-Cross have sub-codes that are best confirmed by VIN. Give your VIN and engine code when you request a quote and suppliers will confirm the exact unit before you commit.
It varies by supplier. Used units typically carry a 30–90 day warranty; reconditioned and new aftermarket boxes usually 6–12 months. On DSG units, check whether the mechatronic is covered. Always get the warranty terms in writing and confirm whether fitment at a qualified workshop is required.
Find your model
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