Audi A3 / S3 / RS3 DPF problems and cleaning
We clean A3 DPFs on driveways, streets and works car parks, so the car never has to go to a garage. Most cleans take 60 to 90 minutes, and same-day visits are often available once a warning light comes on.
How a visit for your A3 works
Tell us the registration and the warning
A DPF light, a "particulate filter system fault" message or limp mode all help us plan the visit. The clean is £275 + VAT.
Choose where we meet the car
Home, work or anywhere it can sit safely with the engine running, across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Huddersfield.
Readings first, then the clean
We check the fault codes and soot load to confirm the filter is the problem, then add the cleaning solution and run a forced regeneration.
Rechecked before we leave
The codes are cleared and the readings checked again, and we tell you if anything else is likely to block the filter.
About the A3 DPF clean
A diesel A3 that spends most of its time on short trips rarely gets hot enough to burn its soot off, so the filter slowly clogs and the warning appears. Our clean softens the packed soot and burns it out with the filter still fitted, which costs far less than the new filter a dealer may quote.
If the readings show ash or a cracked filter, a clean won't fix it and we'll say so first. A DPF delete is £220 + VAT.
If yours is a petrol S3 or RS3 showing a particulate filter warning, we also offer petrol particulate filter cleaning.
At home or at work
The A3 needs to be somewhere the engine can run safely for an hour or so, because the regeneration happens with it idling and revving under control.
- A driveway or a quiet street outside your house
- A works car park, once whoever runs it has agreed to the visit
- A relative's house, if that's where the car is parked that day
Why book SGR
A DPF light rarely comes on at a convenient moment, which is why we bring the clean to the car. Most visits are done in 60 to 90 minutes, same-day slots are often available for warning lights, and we're insured to £2 million while we work on your A3.
Reviews
Can you clean my A3's DPF at work?
Yes, if the car can be parked somewhere safe with room for the exhaust to vent, and your employer is happy for us to be there. Plenty of people book a slot that runs over their lunch break.
Do I need to be there?
Only at the start and the end. We need the keys to read the codes and run the regeneration, and we'd like to talk you through the readings once the clean is done.
Can you check what blocked the A3's filter while you're there?
Yes. The readings often point to a cause, such as a faulty pressure sensor or a sticking EGR valve, and if a deeper check is needed, diagnostics cost £100 + VAT.
How do I stop the A3's DPF blocking again?
Give the car a steady run on a dual carriageway or motorway every week or two, and let regenerations finish rather than switching off halfway. Using the low-ash oil the engine is specified for helps too.
Can a DPF delete be done on an A3 that's driven on the road?
No. An A3 DPF delete is only for cars used off-road or going for export, as our DPF removal guide explains.
Book a visit for your A3
Send the registration and tell us where the car will be, and we'll arrange a time that suits you. Other models are covered on our Audi DPF page, and A3 owners after more performance can see A3 remapping.
Eccles, Manchester M30 0SF