DPF cleaning cost compared with a new filter
Our DPF cleaning cost is £275 + VAT for a mobile clean at your home or workplace. A new filter from a dealer typically costs far more once parts and labour are added, so for a filter clogged with soot, cleaning is nearly always the cheaper place to start.
What each DPF fix costs
Prices for a replacement vary a lot by make and model, so the table below compares the options by what they fix rather than quoting garage figures we can't stand behind.
| Option | Cost | What it sorts |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel additive from a shop | Low, bought over the counter | Light soot on a car that already gets regular long runs |
| SGR mobile DPF clean | £275 + VAT | Soot blockages, with the filter left on the vehicle |
| Off-vehicle specialist clean | Varies, plus labour to remove and refit the filter | Soot and some ash |
| Aftermarket (pattern) DPF | Usually less than a dealer part, plus fitting | Ash-filled, cracked or melted filters |
| New DPF from the dealer | Typically far more than a clean | Ash-filled, cracked or melted filters |
| SGR DPF delete | £220 + VAT | Ends DPF faults in the software |
Why a replacement DPF costs so much
Inside the metal can is a ceramic honeycomb, and on many diesels it's coated with platinum-group metals or built into the same unit as the catalytic converter. That makes the part itself expensive before anyone picks up a spanner.
Labour adds to it. On some vehicles the filter sits under heat shields or close to the engine, and new gaskets, sensors and an ECU reset are often needed after fitting.
When a clean will do and when it won't
Soot is the stuff a clean removes. These are the situations where a clean is worth trying first, and where your money is better spent elsewhere.
- Worth cleaning: the DPF light is on, regenerations keep failing and the readings show a high soot load
- Worth cleaning: the filter has never been cleaned and the vehicle mostly does short journeys
- Not worth cleaning: the ECU reports an ash restriction, often with P242F stored
- Not worth cleaning: the filter has cracked or melted, which shows up as soot at the tailpipe or very low pressure readings
- Fix the cause first: a faulty pressure sensor (P2453) or a sticking EGR valve will block a fresh filter just as quickly
What changes the price of a new DPF
The vehicle
Larger engines, premium makes and vans with heavy-duty exhaust systems tend to have dearer filters.
Genuine or pattern part
A dealer part carries the manufacturer's price. A type-approved aftermarket filter is usually cheaper, though quality varies between brands.
How long it takes to fit
Some filters unbolt from underneath in under an hour. Others mean removing the downpipe, heat shields or even engine mounts.
Extra parts and fluid
Gaskets, clamps and pressure sensors often get replaced at the same time. Some Peugeot, Citroen and Ford diesels also need their DPF additive fluid topping up or resetting.
ECU coding
After a new filter goes on, the ECU's soot and ash values have to be reset with diagnostic software, or the warning light comes straight back.
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Get in TouchThe cost of leaving a blocked DPF
A clogged filter doesn't stay the same price to fix. As soot builds, the engine attempts more active regenerations, burning extra fuel, and some of that fuel can slip past the piston rings and thin the engine oil.
Leave it long enough and the ECU stops allowing regenerations altogether, puts the engine in limp mode, and the back pressure puts extra strain on the turbo. At that point a cheap fix becomes a dear one. Our blocked DPF guide covers the warning signs.
What is the DPF cleaning price at SGR?
It's £275 + VAT, and that covers the visit, the cleaning solution, a forced regeneration and clearing the fault codes. There's no separate call-out charge anywhere in our North West area.
How much does a DPF replacement cost?
It depends on the vehicle, whether you choose a genuine or pattern filter and how long the garage needs to fit it. Ask for a written quote that lists the part, labour and any coding, and compare it with a clean before agreeing.
Is it cheaper to clean or replace a DPF?
If the problem is soot, cleaning is almost always cheaper. Replacement only makes sense when the filter is full of ash or physically damaged, and a check of the readings tells you which you're dealing with.
How much does a DPF delete cost?
Our DPF delete is £220 + VAT. It's a software change for off-road and export use only, and it isn't a legal option for a car or van used on UK roads. See is DPF removal legal?
Does a forced regeneration cost extra?
At SGR, the forced regeneration is part of the £275 + VAT clean rather than an add-on. Our guide to DPF regeneration and forced regens explains what it does.
Get your DPF cleaned for £275 + VAT
Send us your registration and the warning on your dash, and we'll come to you with the kit to clean the filter where the vehicle is parked. Most cleans are finished within 60 to 90 minutes.
Need a delete instead? Our DPF delete is £220 + VAT. Email sales@sgrautomotive.co.uk with any questions.
Eccles, Manchester M30 0SF