Can a VW car or van legally run without its DPF in the UK?

Not on the road. Using a Volkswagen on a public road with its filter removed contravenes the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. From February 2014 a missing DPF has meant an automatic MOT fail, and the fine is up to £1,000 for a car and £2,500 for a light goods vehicle such as a Transporter or Crafter. Our VW removals are for off-road and motorsport vehicles only.

What DPF symptoms does a VW Transporter T5 show?

More than a warning light. Alongside the DPF light, a flashing coil light and the engine light, we see T5s with a lumpy idle, hesitation when pulling away, a smell of burning, poor fuel economy and the “Particulate Filter – See Owner’s Manual” message, before limp mode restricts power. Some regenerate far too often, in a few cases as frequently as every 90 miles. Our Transporter T5 article covers the 1.9, 2.0 and 2.5 TDI versions.

Why does a Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion struggle with its DPF in town?

Because the car was built for economy while its filter needs sustained heat. Both engines, the 90 bhp CAYB and the 105 bhp CAYC, rely on longer runs at speed to finish a regeneration, and stop-start city driving rarely provides them. Extra motorway trips to keep the filter clear then eat into the economy the car was bought for, because fuel use climbs for the roughly 20 miles a regeneration takes. On a Golf that stays on the road, a professional clean with the cause dealt with is the road-legal fix; our Golf 1.6 TDI CR BlueMotion article goes through the options.

Is DPF work on a VW Crafter handled differently from other VWs?

Yes. The Crafter’s engine ECU could not be reached through the diagnostic port, and even clearing its faults with a diagnostic tool usually ended with no communication to the control modules. Our engineers worked on the problem for the best part of three years before our Crafter service launched in November 2010. The Crafter article gives the background; whatever your van needs, start by sending its details and codes through our repair form.