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Multitronic vs EAT6/EAT8: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox carries less risk than the Multitronic gearbox: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The Multitronic gearbox has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear of the variator chain and cones»; the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement».

Risk index

Multitronic

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

EAT6/EAT8

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

13 sourcesHow we work

Is the Multitronic gearbox reliable?

The multitronic is the continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearbox that Audi fitted, with front-wheel drive only, between 1999 and 2014: first the 01J code and, from 2007, the 0AW. It was fitted to the A4 from the B6, the A6 and the A5. Its reliability is limited - Gebrauchtwagenberater calls it Audi's "black sheep": the 01J concentrates control unit failures, jerking when pulling away and chain wear; the 0AW is notably more reliable, although it does not eliminate them entirely.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Multitronic gearbox faults

Is the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox reliable?

The EAT6 and EAT8 gearboxes, made by Aisin for PSA/Stellantis, are torque-converter automatics fitted to Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel models since 2014. Their most-cited weak point is the valve body: pressure or calibration faults cause jerking and hesitation, sometimes fixable with software, and in isolated cases failures that force a gearbox replacement. The manufacturer advertises the fluid as "lifetime", but several specialists recommend changing the oil every 60,000-80,000 km.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Multitronic and EAT6/EAT8
MultitronicEAT6/EAT8
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeContinuously variable transmission (CVT) with a link chain running between cones, with an electronically controlled multi-plate start-off clutch instead of a torque converterTorque-converter automatic with epicyclic gear sets, 6 or 8 speeds depending on version (EAT6/EAT8)
Production1999–2014[1][2][3]since 2014[4][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear of the variator chain and cones
  2. High severity: Control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode
  3. Medium severity: Jerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)
  1. High severity: Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacement
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, especially when cold
  3. Medium severity: Gearbox oil advertised as "lifetime" that is best changed preventively
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €9,000Valve body failure leading to immobilisation or gearbox replacementPublished figure[5][10][11]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • Multitronic 01J (1999-2007)[1][3]
  • Multitronic 0AW (2007-2014)[3]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Multitronic

See the 8 models with the Multitronic gearbox

EAT6/EAT8

See the 11 models with the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox

Other comparisons

With the Multitronic gearbox

With the EAT6/EAT8 gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. MultitronicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. MultitronicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Typische Probleme & Haltbarkeit der MultitronicGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Boîte auto EAT8 Peugeot / CitroënFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Peugeot 508 2 (2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Opel Grandland X (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Peugeot 2008 2 (2020), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Peugeot 308 IIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Peugeot 3008 IIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. El cambio de aceite de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 24 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. El mantenimiento de la caja de cambios que evita una avería de más de 2.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Fiabilité Peugeot 308 (2013-2021), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité Peugeot 5008 2 (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French