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DSG7 DQ200 vs AL4 / DP0: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the AL4 / DP0 gearbox carries less risk than the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The DSG7 DQ200 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housing»; the AL4 / DP0 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating».

Risk index

DSG7 DQ200

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

AL4 / DP0

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

14 sourcesHow we work

Is the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox reliable?

The DSG7 DQ200 (0AM/0CW) is the Volkswagen Group's dry dual-clutch gearbox for engines of up to 250 Nm, fitted to dozens of compact models since 2008. It has a reputation as the least reliable of the DSG family: the mechatronic unit (pressure accumulator, pump and, at times, the housing itself) is its most cited weak point, and the clutch wears sooner in urban use. The post-2013 0CW eases these problems without eliminating them entirely.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox faults

Is the AL4 / DP0 gearbox reliable?

The AL4 (Peugeot and Citroën) and the DP0 (Renault) are the same 4-speed automatic gearbox, developed jointly by both groups and presented in 1998 to replace the old ZF 4HP20. It was fitted for more than a decade across much of both manufacturers' compact and mid-size ranges. As with any automatic gearbox, degraded oil or a low oil level causes harsh shifts and slipping.[5][6][7][8]

See the 2 of the AL4 / DP0 gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of DSG7 DQ200 and AL4 / DP0
DSG7 DQ200AL4 / DP0
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeDry dual-clutch, 7-speed4-speed hydraulic automatic with electronic control
Productionsince 2008[1][9][10][11]since 1998[5][6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults32
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housing
  2. Medium severity: Premature dry clutch wear and judder when driving
  3. Medium severity: Reverse and 6th gear selector fork bearing failure
  1. High severity: Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating
  2. Low severity: Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstill
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housingPublished figure[1][12]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

DSG7 DQ200

See the 40 models with the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox

AL4 / DP0

See the 11 models with the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

Other comparisons

With the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox

With the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. DSG7 DQ200: Guía Técnica Definitiva (P17BF, Mecatrónica y Soluciones)STR Performance · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Reliability of the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission in used cars: our VAG buying guideEuro Racing Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  3. Doppelkupplungsgetriebe: DQ200 - Das große Problem des VW-KonzernsHandelsblatt · General press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  4. Probleme mit VW-DSG: Kein offizieller Rückruf von VolkswagenAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. El aceite de la caja de cambios automática que el fabricante no cambia: evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Síntomas de falta de aceite en una caja de cambios automáticaAutopista.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Direct-shift gearboxWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. DirektschaltgetriebeWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. La caja DSG de 7 velocidades al detalleMotorpasión · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Reparar DSG en España: Precios RealesTCA - Tu Cambio Automático · Technical documentation · published 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. 7 Speed DSG Gearbox Problems | Mechatronic Faults | DSG Clutch PackEco Torque · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. VW, Skoda & Seat DSG Probleme: alle 6 und 7-Gang DQ GetriebeCarwiki · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German