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EDC vs DSG7 DQ381/DQ500: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the DSG7 DQ381/DQ500 gearbox carries less risk than the EDC gearbox: 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The EDC gearbox has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutral»; the DSG7 DQ381/DQ500 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic unit and oil pump failure».

Risk index

EDC

38

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

DSG7 DQ381/DQ500

36

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

11 sourcesHow we work

Is the EDC gearbox reliable?

The EDC covers several Renault dual-clutch gearboxes: the EDC6 (Getrag DC4 dry clutch on most entry-level engines, or DW6 wet clutch on higher-torque ones) and the wet-clutch EDC7, introduced in 2016 to fix the low-speed judder of the earlier unit. Many owners document early clutch wear, overheating that forces a safety neutral, and control electronics faults, especially on the EDC6.[1][2]

See the 4 of the EDC gearbox faults

Is the DSG7 DQ381/DQ500 gearbox reliable?

The DQ500 (0BH) and the DQ381 (0GC) are the Volkswagen Group's seven-speed oil-bath dual-clutch gearboxes for the higher-torque versions: the DQ500, since 2009 and designed first for commercial use, handles up to 600 Nm; the DQ381, since 2017, replaced the DQ250 and covers up to around 420-430 Nm. Both are more robust than the dry DQ200, although they document jerking at low speed, clutch wear and, less often, mechatronic failures.[3][4][5][6]

See the 3 of the DSG7 DQ381/DQ500 gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of EDC and DSG7 DQ381/DQ500
EDCDSG7 DQ381/DQ500
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeDual-clutch: EDC6 (6-speed; DC4 dry clutch on engines under 250 Nm, or DW6 wet clutch on higher-torque engines) and EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, internal code DW5)Wet dual-clutch (oil bath), 7 speeds: DQ381 up to around 420-430 Nm and DQ500 up to 600 Nm
Productionsince 2010[1][7][8]since 2009[3][4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutral
  2. High severity: Control electronics fault: "check gearbox" warning and loss of gears
  3. Medium severity: Premature dry clutch wear and low-speed judder (EDC6/DC4)
  1. High severity: Mechatronic unit and oil pump failure
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and juddering when pulling away and at low speed
  3. Medium severity: Accelerated clutch wear from towing and professional use
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,100EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutralPublished figure[1][9]up to €2,200Mechatronic unit and oil pump failurePublished figure[4][10]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • EDC6 (6-speed: DC4 dry or DW6 wet)[1][2]
  • EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, DW5)[2][9]
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

EDC

See the 11 models with the EDC gearbox

DSG7 DQ381/DQ500

See the 12 models with the DSG7 DQ381/DQ500 gearbox

Other comparisons

With the EDC gearbox

With the DSG7 DQ381/DQ500 gearbox

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité de la boîte EDC : problèmes en série ?fiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · published February 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Essai Renault Scénic 4 dCi 110 EDC7 : le test du Scénic automatiqueL'Argus · Motoring press · published September 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. DSG Gearboxes: Complete Guide to DQ200, DQ250, DQ381, DQ400e, DQ500, DL501 & DSG 6, 7 and 8 SpeedsSTR Performance · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. VW, Skoda & Seat DSG Probleme: alle 6 und 7-Gang DQ GetriebeCarwiki · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Direct-shift gearboxWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Probleme & Schwachstellen beim DSGGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · published March 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Renault Scénic IIIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Renault Clio IVWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. FACUA alerta de la llamada a revisión de los Renault Megane IV GT por un problema en la caja de cambiosFACUA · Consumer association · published 26 April 2017 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Reparar DSG en España: Precios RealesTCA - Tu Cambio Automático · Technical documentation · published 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. VW Tiguan II: Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · published September 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German