DPF Cleaning vs Replacement
One of these costs ten times the other. The right choice depends on one thing: the structural state of the ceramic core. Here's how the decision actually works.
| Cleaning | Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | £220–£400 retail | £1,500–£3,000 + fitting |
| Turnaround | Same day – 48hr | Parts lead time + fitting |
| When it's right | Core intact; soot/ash loading | Cracked, melted or collapsed core |
| What you get | Your original OEM filter, tested, with before/after data | A new (or aftermarket) unit |
| Risk | None if inspected first — we test before and after | Aftermarket units vary widely in quality |
Clean it when
- ·The core is intact — no cracks, no melting, no rattle
- ·The problem is soot or ash loading (the overwhelming majority of cases)
- ·The filter is additive-ash loaded (PSA/Ford FAP systems)
- ·You want the OEM filter back rather than an unknown aftermarket unit
Replace it when
- ·The core is cracked or melted — usually after a runaway or repeated forced regens
- ·The substrate has collapsed and rattles in the can
- ·A previous 'gutting' has removed part of the core
- ·Severe unrepaired oil/coolant contamination has glazed the substrate
How we make the call
Every unit is inspected before anything else happens. If the core is unviable we tell you before any work — no charge for the inspection. If it's sound, we clean, flow-test, and send it back with the before/after data. When cleaning is the wrong answer, we say so: see when a DPF should not be cleaned.