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The 7sp. is DSG transmission- relatively reliable and super reliable compared to 6sp. which is Tiptronic (torque converter) transmission made by Aisin (own by Toyota) as used by upto 2009 I believe.
If you have to have auto, go with the 7sp DSG, though you get 4cyl. 2.0TDI engine. If you can have manual, the 2.5L 5cyl. TDI is IMO far better engine option, especially if you could find low km properly serviced with the right oil one. The 5cyl. engines which were used up to and incl. June 2006 they don’t have the DPF which is big plus too. All T5 from 7/2006 have the DPF, but don’t have to use more expensive harder to find engine oil (VW506.01).
Some tips for buying secondhand T5 from 2010:
- make sure the timing belt was replaced (included water pump) due at 105,000km or 7years whichever comes first
- DMF (dual mass flywheel) is still ok (or was recently replaced), average life is 150,000km but often much less and even these with the DSG don’t last much longer if at all.
- the DPF is working well and it’s not at the end of its life (between 180,000 - 200,000km)
- EGR cooler is the latest one or at least has later “D” at the end of the part number.
- The twin turbo 132TDI has very expensive brake pads and rotors, so make sure they have some life in them remaining.
- make sure that the accessories belt (alternator belt) is always in good condition (serious damage to the engine which doesn’t have the updated t.belt robustness kit installed - these made after 2013 should be ok).
- check that the air conditioning is in good working order.
- be aware of the electric sliding doors, they often fail and are expensive to repair
Now, you see why I recommend the earlier model with 5cyl. engine. They had much less issues and lasted forever.
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