VW Polo Diesel: Jerky Gear Shifts & Transmission Issues

Had the exact same symptoms on my 2004 VW Golf diesel. Started with gear grinding and jerky shifts, especially between first and second. After ignoring it for a few weeks, the transmission slips got worse. With some mechanical experience from basic maintenance, I knew this needed professional attention when I noticed transfer fluid spots on my parking spot. The workshop diagnosed defective gears in the transfer case, which had caused significant oil wear. Total repair cost was 330€, including parts and labor. The mechanic replaced worn components in the transfer case and did a complete fluid change. Shifting has been smooth ever since, and no more oil leakage issues. What specific transmission type does your Polo have? Manual or automatic? Also, have you noticed any unusual noises or fluid leaks? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced. The repair was worth every cent, these symptoms typically get worse if left unchecked and can lead to complete transmission failure.

My Polo has the same transmission behavior since my last service at 10431km. Started noticing gear grinding first, then the jerky shifting kicked in. The transfer case issue makes sense given the symptoms. The transmission is manual and I hear a whining noise during gear changes. No visible oil leakage yet, but the grinding gets louder when the engine is cold. Good to know the repair cost was reasonable in your case. Think I will book it in next week before the gear wear becomes more severe.

Thanks for the update on your Polo's symptoms. The whining noise during shifts matches exactly what I experienced before my repair, it's a classic sign of transfer case wear in these VW transmissions. The cold-start grinding you mentioned is particularly concerning, as it indicates the transfer fluid is likely degraded and not providing proper protection during those critical first minutes of operation. The gear wear will accelerate rapidly in these conditions. My repair involved a complete transfer case overhaul since I waited longer than I should have. If you get it addressed now, you might only need new transfer fluid and minor gear wear corrections, potentially keeping costs closer to 200€ rather than the 330€ I paid. Just monitor your parking spot carefully until the repair. If you start seeing transfer fluid spots like I did, try to minimize driving, especially cold starts, to prevent further gear wear. The cold grinding will only get worse without intervention. Let us know how the workshop visit goes, always helpful to share repair outcomes for others with similar transmission issues.

Thanks for sharing those details. After hearing about your experience and repair costs, I feel more confident about my situation. The whining noise and cold start problems on my manual Polo definitely match what you described. Going to schedule the workshop visit tomorrow. The mechanical wear symptoms are nearly identical to what you experienced, and I do not want to risk more severe gear wear by waiting. Really helpful to know the potential cost range between 200-330€ depending on how extensive the transfer case repair needs to be. Will save myself some money by getting it fixed now before any transfer fluid starts leaking. Smart advice about watching for spots on the ground, will keep an eye out until the repair appointment. Makes sense to avoid cold starts as much as possible in the meantime. Will post an update once the work is done. The gear grinding issue seems common enough that sharing the repair outcome could help other VW owners facing similar transmission problems.