Technicians servicing Mercedes Sprinter vans and Mazda 6 cars are being urged to pay special attention to the diesel particulate filters (DPFs) after the models topped a list of DPF Clean Team’s most frequently handled cars with DPF issues in 2015.
The Automotive reconditioning specialist has found that the number of enquiries it has received for blocked DPFs on these vehicle models amounts to 43.5% – nearly half of enquiries on its top ten list of models the company handles.
The company analysed its database to discover the most popular vehicle makes and models to be referred to them for DPF issues.. The results demonstrate that it’s not always the most popular model of vehicle that experiences a DPF problem, with some widely used van and car models only contributing a small number of DPF-related enquiries.
Among the types of van that have been referred to DPF Clean Team for issues with a blocked DPF, catalytic converter or SCR silencer unit, the Mercedes Sprinter comprises 22% of enquiries, closely followed by Volkswagen Crafter vans, which comprise 12% of all enquiries. The Ford Transit justifies its place at the top of the most recent FN50 van reliability survey, with only five per cent of enquiries being received for this type of vehicle.
Car fleets name the Mazda 6 as the most problematic vehicle fitted with a DPF, with 21% of enquiries coming from this model. The BMW 120, 320 and 520 series comes a close second with 13% of enquiries. BMW 330 and 530 models also made the top five.
However, despite these findings, Cameron Bryce, Director at DPF Clean Team said that it is not necessarily the type of vehicle that determines whether or not it will have a DPF problem, but the way a DPF, catalytic converter or silencer is maintained. The information is very useful for garages to pass on to customers.
“It’s not always a case that the vehicle has a poorly performing unit fitted, but that the driver is not paying due attention to its maintenance.
“Our advice to give to drivers is to seek help immediately whenever the DPF warning light is illuminated on the dashboard because the more you leave a problem, the worse it can get. Make sure that vehicles are taken on regular long journeys to allow the DPF to regenerate and have it checked and cleaned regularly in order to keep it operating to full capacity.
“DPF cleans are a lot more cost effective and quicker than sourcing a replacement and, of course, removing the filter will now cause a vehicle to fail an MOT, as well as this being illegal.”
Top 10 vehicles with DPF issues, as seen by DPF Clean Team:
1 Mercedes Sprinter
2 Mazda 6
3 BMW 120/320/520
4 Volkswagen Crafter
5 Isuzu N Series
6 BMW 330/530
7 DAF
8 Ford Transit
9 Volkswagen Transporter
10 Renault Traffic
