DPF Cleaning Near You | From £99

What is DPF Cleaning?

Unlike petrol cars, diesel engines don’t produce complete combustion so lots of excess emissions would leave the exhaust if the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) didn’t trap them as soot. The DPF then burns this soot off through a process called regeneration. Regeneration reduces the emissions that diesel cars produce, minimising their impact on the environment.

However, this soot and ash builds up over time. If the level reaches 40%, and your DPF cannot initiate the regeneration process, you’ll suffer a lack of performance, increased fuel costs and your car will release more harmful exhaust emissions into the atmosphere.

DPF cleaning uses a mixture of chemicals to flush out the inner workings of your diesel car, helping your DPF filter continue its natural regeneration process. It also helps boost your MPG (Miles Per Gallon), engine performance and helps keep fuel costs down.

Why Should I Book a DPF Clean?

Diesel Particulate Filters are now tested as part of your MOT. If the exhaust emissions are too high, or the technician rules that your DPF is clogged or broken, your car will fail. You’ll also need to replace your DPF, leading to more stress and hassle when you least need it.

A DPF clean booked through Book My Garage is much cheaper than buying a replacement DPF – a new part can cost between £1000 and £3000!

Most importantly, a clean DPF means your car produces less polluting exhaust fumes, keeping the atmosphere a little bit cleaner. DPF cleaning helps reduce your carbon footprint in a big way, and for roughly £99, it’s a win-win.

When Should I Book a DPF Cleaning Appointment?

If you suspect your Diesel Particulate Filter isn’t regenerating properly, it’s better to act early. Once the DPF is 90% full of ash and soot, your car will enter ‘limp home’ mode, and your only option is an expensive DPF replacement.

‘Limp home’ mode is a safety feature most cars use to prevent detected faults from becoming more serious issues. The car switches off all non-essential parts - it will never cut the engine - and significantly reduces your speed until you fix the problem (in this case, replacing your DPF).

Looking out for DPF problems can help you avoid this. Symptoms of a DPF problem include:

• A dashboard warning light showing an amber exhaust
• A loss of power
• A major increase in fuel consumption
• Your car fails to initiate DPF regeneration
• A heavily smoking vehicle or a strong smell of diesel
• A rising oil level
• Your automatic start/stop system won’t work

If you notice any of the above, you should book DPF cleaning at a garage near you as soon as possible to avoid making the problem worse. We recommend booking a DPF filter clean every 6 to 9 months to ensure your car is as efficient as possible, and to reduce its impact on the environment.

How to Book A DPF Clean Near You

1. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode.
2. Compare deals. You can sort garages in your area by whatever best suits your needs: price, distance, reviews and ratings or availability.
3. Pick a date and time for your appointment.

After you book your DPF cleaning appointment, we send you a confirmation email with a summary of your booking. We also inform the garage and they may also be in touch to confirm the appointment or to ask for extra details.

You never pay for your booking until after all the work has been completed and deal with the garage directly after the initial booking process. You also have the ability to change or cancel your booking for free until the day of your appointment.

How Can I Keep My DPF Cleaning Cost Low?

Prices start from just £99 when you compare garages through BookMyGarage. We help you find your perfect garage from thousands of independent, fastfit and franchise garages across the UK– just enter your registration number and postcode into our comparison tool for instant prices. Filter by what matters most to you and book online in just one simple step.

Here are just some of the ways we keep you in control of your DPF clean:

Clear Communication Throughout. After you make your booking, we’ll never leave you in the dark. Not only do we provide a confirmation email ourselves, but we also pass your contact details on to your chosen garage. This means they can keep in touch throughout the process. They may send you a confirmation email themselves and will contact you whenever there is a development with your appointment. That way, you get the peace of mind you deserve.

No Upfront Payment. You never enter any payment details when you book a DPF clean near you. We never charge you any fees to use our site and you always pay the garage directly after the appointment.

Plenty of Choice. We may recommend certain garages depending on your location or the product you select, but you always have the final say. There are thousands of fast-fit, independent and franchised garages on our online comparison site, so you’re able to see all your options and choose the best local garage for you.

You can filter our garages by distance, availability, reviews or extra services offered (such as a loan car or free vehicle collection and delivery). And, by comparing a range of deals, you can find the best DPF cleaning cost in your area. What’s more, you always pay the garage directly, and never before they’ve finished the work. No-nonsense, straightforward car maintenance – just what you’re looking for. Book your DPF clean online through BookMyGarage today.

FAQs

How Can I Avoid DPF Problems?

The easiest way to avoid a problem with your DPF is to keep it clean and ensure Regeneration happens regularly. To do this, we recommend driving at high speed for extended periods of time at least once a week. 

Other ways to avoid DPF problems include:

• Avoid Stop-Start or Short Journeys. Diesel cars don’t work efficiently at low speed or in urban areas. The soot trapped in your DPF quickly builds and can’t be removed.
• Use the Right Engine Oil. If your car is running on the wrong oil, Active Regeneration may not work properly.
• Keep Your Car Well Maintained. If the Engine Management Light is illuminated, Active Regeneration may not work properly either. Similarly, if your exhaust system is damaged or in poor condition, you may experience Regeneration problems. Book your car in for vital maintenance whenever it needs it to avoid problems with your DPF. 

How Can I Tell if My DPF is Clogged?

If your DPF is clogged or blocked, your car won’t be able to perform properly. This will lead to a number of tell-tale signs:

• Loss of performance or power
• Rising oil level
• Increased fuel consumption
• Heavy smoke from the exhaust
• You can smell diesel inside the car
• Amber or Red DPF warning light

If your DPF is significantly clogged, the Regeneration process may also constantly fail or struggle to finish.

What is DPF Regeneration?

DPF Regeneration is the process of removing the soot stored in your filter. During this process, higher exhaust temperatures work to neutralise the soot and leave a thin ashy residue, removing any blockages in your DPF.

There are two types of Regeneration: Active & Passive.

Active Regeneration is initiated by your car’s onboard computer. It injects extra fuel into the exhaust, raising the temperature and burning the soot away quickly.

Passive Regeneration happens naturally when you drive your car at high speeds. The exhaust temperature is naturally higher on the motorway or dual carriageway, so the soot is automatically neutralised.

How Long Does DPF Regeneration Take?

Active Regeneration takes between 5-10 minutes to complete. 

Passive Regeneration takes slightly longer. You need to maintain a high exhaust temperature, so it takes about 20 minutes of driving at 40mph+.

The DPF Warning Light Has Come On: What Should I Do?

The DPF warning light indicates a serious blockage within your filter. Ignoring it can lead to serious problems, so you should take action as soon as possible.

First, you should try to engage the Regeneration process and see if a long drive at high speed is enough to clear the blockage. If the warning light remains, you must clean your DPF as soon as possible. You can either buy DPF cleaner and complete the process yourself or book a professional DPF clean at a garage near you. 

Many garages on our online comparison site offer this service for just £99. During this appointment, they will engage Forced Regeneration, which is usually successful in removing the excess soot and allowing your DPF to work properly again.

If the blockage is so bad that Forced Regeneration doesn’t clear the warning light, you may need to pay for a more expensive deep clean or, in some extreme situations, a replacement DPF. These can cost more than £1,000, so it is vital that you look after your filter at all times.