Fleets are paying more attention to maintaining diesel particluate filters (DPFs), catalytic converters and CSR silencer units than ever before, according to DPF Clean Team.

The automotive parts reconditioning specialist has recorded a 20% increase in the number of fleet enquiries this year, with the majority coming from vehicle operators based in urban areas, where multiple short journeys are common.

Cameron Bryce, director of DPF Clean Team, said this is because a vehicle fitted with a DPF, CAT or SCR needs to be driven at a constant road speed in order for the unit to reach the right temperature to burn off the particles and thus to successfully regenerate and effectively empty itself.

Lots of short journeys, and trips that involve top and start traffic, can cause regeneration to be unsuccessful, resulting in blockage. 

Bryce said: “Fleet operators are beginning to realise that a DPF, CAT or SCR unit can be cleaned and a vehicle returned to the road in a matter of days, which is far quicker and less expensive than the time and cost associated with sourcing a new unit, ordering and receiving the part, and then having it fitted.

"Fleet operators in the UK are already overstretched in terms of resources and personnel so it does not make sense to have a vehicle off the road for too long when the DPF warning light comes on.”