Repair cost guide

DPF cleaning and replacement cost in the UK

Every modern diesel has a diesel particulate filter, and short urban journeys are the quickest way to block one. Acting on the warning light early is the difference between a £200 clean and a £1,500 filter.

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Typical UK DPF prices

The cheapest options work only while the filter is still partly usable. Once ash loading is too high, or the filter has cracked or melted, replacement is the only legal fix.

JobTypical UK cost
Diagnostic and forced regeneration£150 to £300
On-car chemical DPF clean£200 to £400
Off-car professional DPF clean£300 to £600
Aftermarket replacement DPF£600 to £1,200
Original equipment replacement DPF£1,000 to £2,000
Differential pressure sensor£120 to £250
AdBlue system fault repair£250 to £1,500

What affects the cost

How blocked it is

A partially blocked filter can often be cleared with a forced regeneration or an on-car clean. Heavy soot and ash loading, or a cracked substrate, means replacement.

Aftermarket or original

Quality aftermarket filters are considerably cheaper and fine for most cars. Some prestige models and newer emissions systems work best with the original part.

The underlying cause

DPFs block for a reason, commonly failed EGR valves, injector faults, a leaking turbo or simply too many short journeys. Replacing the filter without fixing the cause repeats the bill.

AdBlue and sensors

On newer diesels the DPF works alongside AdBlue dosing and several sensors. Faults there trigger DPF warnings and can prevent the car starting after a countdown.

Signs your DPF is blocking

  • The DPF warning light on the dashboard, often a coil-shaped symbol.
  • Loss of power or the car dropping into limp mode.
  • A strong hot smell and the cooling fan running hard after a drive.
  • The stop-start system disabling itself.
  • Increased fuel consumption and frequent, unfinished regeneration attempts.

How to pay a fair price

When the light first appears, a 20 to 30 minute run at motorway speeds in a lower gear, keeping revs above 2,000, will often complete a regeneration and clear it for free. If the light stays on, get it diagnosed quickly. Removing a DPF is illegal on a road car and an automatic MOT failure.

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