MOT's for diesel cars now include a mandatory diesel particulate filter (DPF) check, with an automatic failure for any car found to be missing its standard filter.
The MOT rule change came into force in February 2014 and requires that all garages and testing stations check for a DPF during the inspection of the exhaust system.
The DPF works by absorbing particulate emissions created during the start-up phase of an engine from cold; these absorbed particulates are then superheated and burned off during the regeneration cycle of the DPF. However, some motorists have complained that the filter impairs fuel economy and can result in costly repairs should it get clogged up.
One particular cause for DPF failure is repeated short journeys from cold, which prevents the regeneration cycle and ruins the filter. The cost of a new DPF can be anything from £1000 to £3500 and in some cases exceeds the value of the car. Here at ACC UK Ltd, Independent Volvo and Toyota Service, Repair & MOT Specialists based in Farnborough, Hampshire, we have had customers who have been quoted up to £5000 for the replacement of the DPF. This has resulted in some motorists removing the filters and remapping their vehicles as a more cost effective solution. However with the new MOT rules this is now no longer an option and those who have had their filter removed will face an automatic MOT failure during their next MOT. This only applies to vehicles which have had a critical exhaust filter fitted as standard from manufacture. If you are experiencing problems with your DPF Filter please pop in to see us here at ACC UK Ltd, Independent Volvo and Toyota Service, Repair and MOT Specialists based in Farnborough, Hampshire. If it is not too clogged we may be able to force a re-gen to unblock the filter. Happy motoring!
