I read this article, granted it's not the most recent but it's got me concerned again haha- so is it goin to be introduced to not or not?
New legislation will make removing you car's diesel particulate filter a bigger mistake than ever
Removing your car's diesel particulate filter (DPF) might be tempting, because the damage caused by a clogged DPF can result in four-figure repair bills. An internet search reveals numerous companies advertising DPF removal services, but as well as being bad for the environment this is also illegal, and the Government has moved to tighten up the regulations concerning such practices.
In October 2013 Robert Goodwill, roads minister, announced that garages and testing stations will be required check for a DPF as part of the MoT test from February 2014. The vehicle will automatically fail test if the filter had been fitted as standard but is no longer present.
Located within the exhaust system, a DPF captures small soot particles, preventing them from being expelled into the atmosphere. As with any filter it needs emptying periodically and this is done automatically, by burning up the particulates in a process called regeneration.
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To meet or exceed European-dictated emissions standards, DPFs have been fitted to most diesel cars for almost a decade and, because they need high temperatures to regenerate, low mileage stop-start motoring can cause them to block. Should a fascia warning lamp be ignored, expensive engine damage can occur.
For them to work efficiently, the car needs to be driven at a constant speed, for at least fifteen minutes, to allow the DPF to heat up enough to regenerate. Certain motorists, such as urban commuters, might find this impossible.
The latest diesel engines are less prone to problems, because they are more efficient and burn off soot faster. Even in normal use, however, DPFs tend to need replacement after a certain mileage has elapsed, the rate of which varies between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, dependent on the car make and model, the type of use and whether or not the engine has had regular oil changes with a lubricant that does not contain additives that block the filter.
Instead of having a new DPF fitted, it is possible to have it cleaned. A handful of companies offer a mail-order chemical cleaning service, which means your car will off the road for at least 48 hours, but which could potentially save you hundreds of pounds.
Another alternative is to buy a new aftermarket DPF, which could save you up to 65% compared with the main dealership price. While carmakers might argue that the alternative part is inferior, all DPFs for cars made from 2009 and many prior to that date, are subject to independent Type Approval tests for performance and longevity.
The Government’s decision to actively enforce the regulations regarding DPF removal are welcome, since they remove any possible doubt concerning the issue and mean that a device designed to reduce pollution functions as it should.
Motorists may rue the financial implications of a clogged DPF, but technical advances are likely to continue to improve their efficiency and reliability.
If nothing else, the change in policy is likely to draw more attention to the issue and perhaps make buyers think carefully about their requirements when buying a new car. If your driving habits are not suited to keeping a DPF running smoothly, you should consider buying a petrol model instead.
the mechanic then showed me there was basically hardly any pressure from the tail pipes.
