DPF Clean Team calls for greater enforcement of DPF removal laws

By
|
27 April 2016

DPF Clean Team is calling for the re-introduction of regular Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) spot checks, as well as mandatory exhaust emissions checks in the MOT, to eliminate the illegal removal of DPFs.

Despite the mandatory introduction of DPFs for all diesel vehicles in 2009, industry traders are illegally removing DPFs, catalytic converters and silencer units when they become clogged and blocked, in search of a quick fix, according to DPF Clean Team.

Cameron Bryce, managing director of DPF Clean Team, believes the only way to discourage people from illegally removing DPFs is to better enforce outlawing the practice and re-introduce spot checks, which were stopped in 2011.

Bryce said: “Anyone who is advocating the illegal removal of DPFs, catalytic converters and silencer units is not only breaking the law but is misleading motorists too. It may seem a cheap and quick option, but it is costing them money in the long run. Not only is it invalidating their insurance, but it often damages other parts of the vehicle too. Removal of these components does not address some of the wider issues that have caused blockage, such as a faulty temperature or pressure sensor, faulty glow plugs or a failed exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve.”

The Department for Transport (DFT) has commissioned research to better detect DPF removal by measuring exhaust fumes, with their findings contributing to changes made to the Roadworthiness Directive, scheduled to be introduced in 2017/18.

DPF Clean Team is already working closely with fleet operators such as Leicestershire and London Metropolitan Police Forces and rental firms Avis and Europcar, as well as more than 1,800 independent garages, to provide quick turnaround DPF cleaning services. However, the business is still coming across tradespeople who are offering DPF removal as a service and believes that the law regarding removal needs to be better enforced and taken more seriously.

“While it’s good to see the Government taking action against DPF removal, what we really need to see is the return of spot checks on the road, greater enforcement and a better system for MOT checks, rather than basic visual inspection," Bryce added.

More articles on:

Comments (2)

Login to comment

Comments

Patriot - 27/04/2016 16:07

A lot of DPF problems can be traced back to the driver. Modern diesel engined cars are unsuitable for town and short journey driving. Using supermarket diesel fuel is a no-no and not driving in a lower gear to make sure the engine gets up to temperature quicker. Most DPF's need engines to rev between 2k-3k over a distance of more than 2/3 miles to regenerate. A sooted up and clogged EGR valve can cause similar symptoms to a blocked DPF. There is enough information out there to help drivers with DPF problems before they are held hostage by a dealer or DPF speciaists.
- 1
- 2
Chris - 13/05/2016 16:45

Since 1996 In the U.S there exists a Government warranty backed by law which is called "The federal emissions warranty". The warranty means that car manufacturers have to cover the replacement / repair cost of any major emissions component which fails within a 8 years / 80k mile period. Twenty years later, and the UK consumer still doesn't have the same safeguards, why not?, if such devices are a compulsory fit then the manufacturers should demonstrate their faith in their designs and workmanship by offering a similar no quibble warranty covering a reasonable period of component longevity - it already exists in the U.S and although diesel cars are not as popular over there it does include the DPF on the models which do, so i'm not re-inventing the wheel. The cost of professionally cleaning a DPF is not cheap - usually between £250 and £400, which is about the same cost as a Timing Belt replacement, however will the DPF last for 50k, 70k or 90k miles between cleaning or will it be required more frequently?. Imagaine having to pay out £300 for a timing belt every 10k - 20k miles, well if a DPF clean was required just as frequently, would this be deemed by the Motorist as being 'OK'?. As a Diesel engine ages, its injectors become clogged, worn and generally less efficient, other components such as swirl flaps and EGR valves stick, and intake manifolds clog, inevitably general wear and aging means that more soot is produced and the car becomes 'smokey', thus the older the car, the more lilkely the DPF is to block, or regenerations become more and more frequent, so its not only short journeys which will contribute to issues, the vehicle age and the condition of its fuel system can play a big part, especially when buying a used car. Resale values of second hand diesels are also likely to be hit, generally the lifecycle of a DPF is set at between 80k and 120k miles, so in four or five years, if you are selling a car with say 90k miles on the clock, you may think its worth £7000, but as a buyer I disagree, because there is a good chance that I will probably have to pay out £1500 in 10k to 20k miles time to have the DPF replaced as per the vehicle service schedule, so on that basis I think the car is worth £5500 and that is what i'll be offering. It would make no odds to me whether you had taken the car and had the DPF cleaned, that is the manufacturers' specified longevity for the component and that is the advised replacement mileage in the service manual for the car.
- 1
- 1