External inspection:
* Gear shift lever: On cars with an automatic transmission, the lever usually has a traditional look with P, R, N, D and L, while on cars with a DSG, the lever may look like a traditional one or have an additional mode switch button.
* On the steering wheel: Most DSG cars have steering wheel paddle shifters, while automatic cars usually don’t.
* Badge on the rear of the car: Cars with DSG may have a ‘DSG’ or ‘S-tronic’ badge on the rear of the car.
Technical information:
*VIN Number: The vehicle’s VIN number contains a code that indicates the type of transmission installed.
* Service Book: The vehicle’s service book must contain information about the type of gearbox installed.
* Vehicle Diagnostics: A mechanic can connect a diagnostic scanner to the vehicle to determine the type of transmission installed.
Test drive:
* Gear shifting: Cars with DSG typically shift gears smoothly and quickly without feeling delayed, while cars with an automatic transmission may shift smoother but with a slight delay.
*Manual Mode: Most DSG equipped cars have a manual mode which allows the driver to change gears themselves using the steering wheel paddles. Cars with an automatic transmission usually do not have a manual mode.
*Sport Mode: Many DSG-equipped vehicles have a Sport mode that modifies the transmission’s characteristics for more aggressive shifts. Cars with an automatic transmission may have a similar mode, but it may affect engine tuning rather than the gearbox.