How much does it cost to clean a DPF filter in the UK?

Professional DPF cleaning typically costs between £150-£400 depending on the method (mobile on-car vs postal off-car cleaning) and your vehicle type. This is significantly cheaper than DPF replacement, which costs £1,000-£2,500+. Prices vary by location, vehicle make/model, and blockage severity, so always request a specific quote.

Is DPF cleaning worth the cost?

Yes, absolutely. DPF cleaning costs £150-£400 compared to £1,000-£2,500 for replacement. Professional cleaning has an 85-95% success rate for blocked filters and can restore your DPF to near-new condition. It's always worth trying cleaning before considering replacement.

How much does DPF regeneration cost?

A forced DPF regeneration at a garage typically costs £80-£150 and takes 30-60 minutes. However, if your DPF is heavily blocked (60%+), a simple regeneration often won't work – you'll need full cleaning (£150-£400). Many cleaning services include forced regeneration as part of the process.

Can I clean my DPF myself to save money?

While DIY DPF cleaning additives (£15-£40) exist, they rarely work for significantly blocked filters. Professional cleaning uses industrial-grade equipment and chemicals that aren't available to consumers. Attempting DIY cleaning on a badly blocked DPF often wastes money and delays proper treatment, potentially causing additional damage.

How often does a DPF need cleaning?

Most DPFs need professional cleaning every 80,000-120,000 miles, depending on driving style. Short journeys, city driving, and low-quality fuel accelerate blockage. Regular motorway driving helps prevent blockages through natural regeneration. If you mainly do short trips, consider preventative cleaning every 60,000-80,000 miles.

Does DPF cleaning include a guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply)?

Reputable DPF cleaning services typically offer a 30-90 day guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply). This means if the DPF blocks again within the guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply) period (due to cleaning failure, not new driving habits), they'll re-clean it free or refund your money. Always ask about guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply)s before booking and get them in writing.

What's cheaper: mobile or postal DPF cleaning?

Mobile on-car cleaning (£150-£350) is usually cheaper upfront, but postal cleaning (£180-£400) is more thorough and has higher success rates for severely blocked DPFs. If you can remove/refit the DPF yourself or have a mechanic do it cheaply, postal cleaning often offers better value long-term due to lower failure rates.

How much does DPF cleaning cost for a van?

Van DPF cleaning typically costs £200-£450 due to larger filter size and more complex systems. Small vans (Transit Connect, Caddy) are at the lower end (£200-£300), while large vans (Sprinter, Crafter) cost £300-£450. Commercial vehicle specialists often offer better rates than general garages.

Are there hidden costs with DPF cleaning?

Reputable providers include all costs in their quote. However, watch for potential extras: diagnostic scans (£30-£50 if not included), DPF removal/refitting (£80-£150 for postal services), replacement sensors if damaged (£40-£150), or travel charges for mobile services outside their area (£20-£50). Always ask what's included upfront.

Is main dealer DPF cleaning more expensive?

Yes, significantly. Main dealers charge £300-£600+ for DPF cleaning – often 2-3x the cost of independent specialists. The cleaning process is identical; you're paying for the dealer brand and premises. Independent specialists with good reviews offer the same service at much better value, often with better guarantee (Terms & Conditions Apply)s.

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How Much Does DPF Cleaning Cost in 2025? Complete UK Price Guide

Quick answer: Typical DPF cleaning cost in the UK is £150–£400 (guide only, not a quote).

The actual cost depends on your vehicle, how blocked the filter is, whether regeneration has failed, and if any underlying engine or sensor faults are present.

What affects the price most:

Vehicle make, engine size, and DPF type
Soot build-up versus ash loading
Failed regenerations or limp-mode events
Related faults (EGR, sensors, injectors, turbo)

Garage-based DPF cleaning service.
To confirm suitability and pricing, we’ll need your vehicle details and the symptoms you’re experiencing.

If your diesel particulate filter (DPF) warning light has appeared, the first question is usually the same: “How much is this going to cost?”

This guide explains typical UK DPF cleaning costs, what actually affects the price, and how to judge whether cleaning is the right step before considering replacement.

DPF Cleaning Cost Overview

On-car DPF cleaning: £150–£350 (guide)
Off-car / removed DPF cleaning: £180–£400 (guide)
Garage-based diagnostic and cleaning work: £200–£450 (guide)
DPF replacement (for comparison): £800–£2,500+ (guide)

These figures reflect typical UK market ranges only. Your actual cost depends on the condition of the DPF and the cause of the blockage.

On-Car DPF Cleaning

On-car DPF cleaning is carried out with the filter still fitted to the vehicle. It is suitable for filters blocked mainly with soot where the internal structure is still intact.

Initial diagnostic checks
Chemical flush through the DPF
Controlled regeneration process
Post-clean checks to confirm improvement

Typical guide cost: £150–£350 (guide)
Costs vary depending on engine size, blockage level, and access.

Best for: Early to moderate blockages, failed regenerations, warning lights without physical DPF damage.

Limitations: Less effective where heavy ash build-up or underlying engine faults are present.

Off-Car / Removed DPF Cleaning

Off-car DPF cleaning is used when the filter has already been removed from the vehicle. This allows deeper cleaning and full flow testing.

Industrial cleaning process
Internal ash removal
Pre- and post-clean flow testing
Condition assessment of the DPF core

Typical guide cost: £180–£400 (guide)
Removal and refitting costs are separate and depend on the vehicle.

Best for: Heavily blocked filters, repeat failures, high mileage vehicles, or previous unsuccessful cleaning attempts.

DPF Cleaning vs Replacement

Option	Typical Cost	Downtime	When It Makes Sense
DPF Cleaning	£150–£400 (guide)	Hours to days	Blockage without physical damage
DPF Replacement	£800–£2,500+ (guide)	Same day	Melted, cracked, or collapsed DPF

In most cases, professional cleaning restores a DPF successfully. Replacement is only necessary when the internal ceramic core is damaged.

What Affects DPF Cleaning Cost?

Vehicle type: Larger engines and commercial vehicles cost more
Blockage severity: Light soot vs heavy ash build-up
Regeneration history: Repeated failures increase complexity
Underlying faults: EGR, sensor, injector, or turbo issues
Access and layout: Some vehicles are harder to work on

Signs Your DPF May Need Cleaning

DPF or engine warning light
Loss of power or limp mode
Frequent regeneration attempts
Increased fuel consumption
Excessive exhaust smoke

Ignoring these signs can lead to turbo, injector, or engine damage, which significantly increases repair costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does DPF cleaning cost in the UK?

Most professional DPF cleaning falls between £150 and £400 depending on the vehicle and blockage severity.

Is DPF cleaning worth it?

Yes. Cleaning is far cheaper than replacement and resolves the problem in the majority of cases.

Can a DPF always be cleaned?

No. Filters that are cracked, melted, or structurally damaged will need replacement.

How long does DPF cleaning take?

On-car cleaning can often be completed the same day. Off-car cleaning depends on removal and testing time.

Will cleaning fix repeated DPF issues?

Only if the underlying cause is addressed. Faulty sensors or engine issues will cause re-blocking.

Next Steps

If you’re dealing with a DPF warning light or repeated regeneration failures, the first step is confirming whether cleaning is suitable.

Get in touch with your vehicle details and symptoms, and we can advise on the most appropriate next step.

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