You are, of course, assuming that the information from the towcarinfo website is 100% accurate. 'Fat fingers' can happen to anyone.

The gearboxes will be different. I assume the 6 speed gearbox is probably heavier, and as such is allowed to tow a heavier trailer/caravan.

I think the 6 speed has a bigger clutch

However:-

5 speed original gearbox with external slave cylinder - v reiable

6 speed has concentric slave cylinder - Slave cylinder and gearbox less reliable

[EDIT] possible at this age slave cylinder is external

Edited by Big John on 19/02/2017 at 00:29

My memory is a bit hazy but I recall that the 1.9 PD motors with the 6-speed gearboxes were rated with a slightly higher torque output in VW's own figures: 228lb-ft compared to 210lb-ft for the 5-speed gearbox variants, although peak power was identical between the two.