https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-for-mot-to-test-for-diesel-particulate-filter

This was shared on my Facebook wall today apologies if i have been beaten to this already.

Looks like if you've removed your DPF or planning to it time to make good friends with MOT testers :/

Otherwise its an expensive mod to rectify .

There'll be a good few on here with dirty underwear now at the thought of replacing their DPFs.

There was a thread a little while ago heralding the merits of removing them as part of remapping their ECUs but doesn't look good with the new legislation.

Similar thread -

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/297243-dpf-removal-check-to-be-part-of-uk-mot-test-from-february-2014/

How would they know if the filter has been removed without taking things apart?

 

No I`m not worried. I still have my DPF.

Edited 6 December, 201312 yr by bobjob49

I am sure particulates or emissions will show if a DPF has been removed.

 

 A question for those who have removed the DPF, does your car have clean or dirty tail pipes?

The DPF looks like a swelling on the pipe within the exhaust system, a bit like a snake that has just swallowed a rat.

It will be easy to tell if it's been removed as it simply won't be there. There would probably be a pipe welded or fitted in it's place so any MOT engineer will know if it's been taken off.

If a dodgy thief knows what to look for, there's been a spate of VAG group cars targeted for their DPFs where they've been stolen, then a mechanic certainly does.

Plus, emissions tests will also show particulate levels within the exhaust gases so they'll know what's acceptable for any given engine.

The DPF looks like a swelling on the pipe within the exhaust system, a bit like a snake that has just swallowed a rat.

It will be easy to tell if it's been removed as it simply won't be there. There would probably be a pipe welded or fitted in it's place so any MOT engineer will know if it's been taken off.

If a dodgy thief knows what to look for, there's been a spate of VAG group cars targeted for their DPFs where they've been stolen, then a mechanic certainly does.

Plus, emissions tests will also show particulate levels within the exhaust gases so they'll know what's acceptable for any given engine.

It won't necessarily be easy to spot visually. The following is taken from a (presumably) reputable tuning company's web site (their whole entry re DPF is dated October 2013):

 

"What about new MOT legislation?

The only new legislation we expect to be introduced in the next few years is a ‘visual inspection of the DPF’. This will be a very simple visual inspection of the DPF unit to ensure it is still in place, because of this new expected legislation we do not fit bypass pipes. Instead, we modify the original DPF unit, discreetly cutting away a small window in the top of the chamber, removing the internal filter before rewelding the window and refitting to the vehicle. This way the vehicle still appears to have a DPF fitted and appears unmodified in anyway."

 

It has been said that, although using a car from which the DPF has been removed is illegal (contrary to Con & Use Regs), the garages that remove them are 'blameless'. If, as it appears, the garages know what the legal situation is, I would have thought an offence of 'aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring' a summary offence should be considered.

 

Car without DPF have dirty tail pipes, and some visible smoke...

Emissions are disturbed.

At the last developers seminar I went to regarding future engine emission testing, we were told there will be new emission testing for diesel engines. It won't just be a smoke test as it is now. It will be testing for the very fine particulate matter, nitrous oxide levels, and other base diesel exhaust gases and materieals that cars without a dpf eject in very large quantities.  It will be discovered if you don't have a dpf in use on a diesel car. And that's a damn good thing too. It's so anti social to remove it. Do some research if you don't believe me. The new tests won't come in until after 2016 as far as I know. I don't think an exact date has been set just yet. But it won't be too long. Removing or tampering with a dpf is likely to be a criminal offence when the legislation is introduced.

Forgive my iggerance, but I thought if you drove it like you stole it, the DPF didn't give any trouble?

I know that if you drive gently for prolonged periods it needs refresh/recharged and the dealer charges both limbs (arm and a leg) to do so.

Is the driving style so crucial that it is going to clog up unless you drive like a loon? 

Can someone please edumicate me in small words, preferably English.

If your DPF needs to regen all you need to do is go for a few miles up the motorway in 4th gear at 70 mph, or you can clear it by sitting with your foot on the accelerator and holding it there for several minutes.

 

 Best way to clear it is to go for a run in the car and do not use the top two gears, allow the engine to rev at 3000 rpm and above for a length of time for the regen to happen, then drive home again.  

IIRC the manual says to keep the revs over 2k until the light goes out. Based on the one occasion the light has been on it took about 10 mins driving on a dual carriageway at 70 before the light went out.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Just noticed this is a fabia thread, not an Octavia so I may be completely wrong.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Just noticed this is a fabia thread, not an Octavia so I may be completely wrong.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

Is it not a case of a DPF is a DPF is a DPF? If they all work the same way should the issues and fixes not all be the same?

Is it not a case of a DPF is a DPF is a DPF? If they all work the same way should the issues and fixes not all be the same?

You would think so but it would pushing it a bit far to assume Skoda would be consistent across different models.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

You would think so but it would pushing it a bit far to assume Skoda would be consistent across different models.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Yes, the dpf system employed is universally the same on all VAG diesels.

I wonder if sentencing powers for breaches of any new regulations, as and when they come in, will include the ability to impose an ASBO?

 

Just wondering

We didn't discuss the possible penalties for future dpf removal. Not my dept. But it is likely to be a serious offence due to the damage to health it causes. It will likely involve offending cars being taken off the road and heavy fines even greater than those for running illegal tyres. So £5k upwards and car crushed is a real possibility it was indicated.

All of which makes the Tsi petrol engines, with their excellent economy, a serious option for the future.....

Yes, the dpf system employed is universally the same on all VAG diesels.

Yes but communication between the manufacturers and customers is pretty poor to be honest.

The handbook for my old Octavia was mainly written in gibberish. The mkII one is better but not perfect. Also if you were to ask a number of dealers the same question you won't get the same answer.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Yes but communication between the manufacturers and customers is pretty poor to be honest.

The handbook for my old Octavia was mainly written in gibberish. The mkII one is better but not perfect. Also if you were to ask a number of dealers the same question you won't get the same answer.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

I've always found various issues with the manuals as they are obviously translations. In general this works fine but on certain occasions they get the technicalities slightly wrong which a proof reader will generally miss. The handbook is also a high level user manual not a detailed technical manual. Just a shame that the dealerships generally can't get their head round the concept of having someone with a good technical knowledge of the vehicles to be able to speak to the more knowledgeable customer rather than relying on the hit and miss approach of whoever answers the phone or is standing at the service desk.

It is going to be interesting to see how the DPF issue pans out as the new check seems quite basic as it stands in that it seems to be limited to a visual check to see that the dpf is present, but as said above I can forsee a particulate emission test coming in to check as that is the only real way to check without stripping the dpf apart, otherwise all people will do is fit a bulbous pipe in place of the dpf.

Edited 8 December, 201312 yr by Moist Von Lipwig

I would have thought that quote by the "reputable tuner" is tantamount to knowing and admitting they are breaking the law by stating how they get around the DPF issues ?

So glad I bought one of the last 1.9tdi with no DPF

So glad I bought one of the last 1.9tdi with no DPF

I have both a 1.9tdi elegance and a 1.6cr, the 1.6 is considerably more fuel efficient than the 1.9. To day i have had no issues with the 1.6CR and find it a lot more pleasant place to be. I am yet to be convinced about the doom and gloom of what (maybe) mot testers will or won't be doing in the distant future. If it does come in then i could see it being only applicable to models made from a certain date after its introduced, ie a 60 plated 1.6CR registered prior to any legislation change could (maybe, possibly) not be included.

 

What ever rules are introduced, as always, there will be ways and means to get around them.... there always are.

Yes, but there has been a massive increase in nano air particulates from cr diesel engines and a corresponding increase in associated lung disease. This is Europe wide. Diesel engine particulate make up by far the majority of the muck we all breath each day (source: Environment agency). Governments therefore are determined to do two things: 1. Introduce new emission technology for diesels. Its already done and dusted and on its way. 2. Make it impossible to get away with tampering with emission control equipment. Done by better in depth testing, and massive penalties for those that do. I must say its long overdue.

Edited 12 December, 201312 yr by Estate Man