In December 2009, after 6 months wait, I took delivery of a new VW Polo (6R current model) 1,4 petrol with 7-speed DSG ( Direct-Shift Gearbox Direkt-Schalt-Getriebe) - essentially an automatic gearbox.

All has been wonderful and with servicing every 30,000km or 2 years the cost to date has been CHF400.00 and repairs zero. And average 5.9l per 100km.

With 35,000km on the clock and 24½ months of happy motoring, the DSG box went on the blink in the last couple of weeks.

This involved the gearbox going into neutral while in 'D' and while driving. Once stopped and the engine restarted it clears. This happened only twice, but is understandably potentially leathal, especially in a tunnel or on the autbahn.

A quick Google proved this, and all sorts of other problems, to be common with VW/Audi/Skoda models with DSG. Also getting satisfaction from either dealers and manufacturers appeared also to be just as big a problem.

So it was with some concern that I check the car in at my local VW dealer (Autorama in Wetzikion (ZH)) where I also bought the car. After 24 hours and correspondence between Autorama and VW importers AMAG, they have agreed to replace the Metatronc box (the brains that drive the gearbox) free of charge (parts and labour). This is on order from Germany and will be done next week.

Had I imported the car from Germany or bought at the likes of Autodiscount Uster, I wonder if I be so content. Autorama even cleaned the car inside and out while it was in for assessment...