Quick Answer
A worn manual clutch usually slips under load, judders, or has a biting point that has moved high. A DSG has two clutches. Harsh take-off, flare between gears, or a gearbox warning are the usual signs. Do not keep driving a slipping clutch. You glaze it, then you replace the flywheel as well.
Manual clutch
A high biting point on its own can be cable or hydraulic. Slip under load is the clutch face.
- Engine revs rise in third or fourth but road speed does not
- Burning smell after a hill start
- Biting point at the top of the pedal travel
- Judder as you let the pedal up
- Difficulty selecting gears, especially reverse
DSG clutch
Wet-clutch DSGs wear more slowly if serviced. Dry-clutch units (many 7-speed DQ200) wear the clutch pack with city use and creeping in traffic.
- Shudder from a stop
- Flare: engine revs jump between gears
- Delayed drive when you pull away
- Gearbox malfunction message
What we check before quoting
Road test, fluid condition on DSG, dual-mass flywheel play on manuals, leaks from the concentric slave cylinder. You get a quote before we split the box.
See the clutches page for the work involved. Prices depend on the car. We confirm before we start.