DPF Removal

Drivers experiencing frequent problems with DPFs may be tempted to simply remove the filter entirely to avoid further problems, and there are a number of companies advertising DPF removal services. Such companies often claim that it is not illegal to remove the DPF.

Although it may not be illegal for companies to provide this service, the same is unfortunately not true for the owner of the vehicle. Department for Transport guidance recently confirmed that it is an offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations (Regulation 61a (3)) to use a vehicle which has been modified in such a way that it no longer complies with the air pollutant emissions standards that it was designed to meet. Removal of a DPF, whilst not illegal in itself, will almost certainly result in a contravention of the above requirement making the vehicle illegal to use on the road. In addition, since February 2014, inspection of the exhaust system will be required as part of the MoT test and a missing DPF, where one should be fitted, will result in an automatic failure.  The potential penalties for failing to comply with Regulation 61a are fines of up to £1,000 for a car or £2,500 for a light goods
vehicle.

If that wasn't bad enough, car owners who choose to have their Diesel Particulate Filter removed could be invalidating their insurance.

Auto Express investigated 10 DPF removal companies, with most not informing them that their modification will affect the performance of their car, and thus affect their insurance policy.

The Association of British Insurers state that motorists should tell their insurer about any modification, and that cover in the event of an accident may be declined if the ECU has been reprogrammed after removal.

Most garages wrongly stated that it wasn’t essential to tell insurance companies as the modification is difficult to detect, and wouldn’t contravene the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulation 61