The weak point is the spline connection of the even-gear hub: repeated abrupt starts can strip the splines, and the gearbox goes into limp mode, holding only one or two gears.
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The remaining faults come from clutch wear and contamination of the mechatronic unit, and clutch wear is accelerated by oil seeping past the seal. The dual-mass flywheel has a short life, sometimes under 150,000 km.
What to check
- Run through all the gears while rolling: none should be skipped, and it must not drop into limp mode
- Pull away briskly too: the clutch must not slip and the shift must not hesitate
- With the engine idling in neutral, listen: a worn dual-mass flywheel rattles
