Dpf Removal Is It Illegal In Uk?

[john_h]

hi folks, it appears that removal of the DPF on car is actually illegal.

the following is copied and pasted from a user called "jeebowhite" on "fordownersclub"

1st email:

"From: dft.gsi.gov.uk
Sent: 25 February 2011 14:06
To: Jeebowhite
Subject: FW: Vehicle Roadworthiness Question regarding Diesel Particulate Filter

Dear Jeebowhite
Your email of 18 February about removing the particulate filter from a diesel car was passed to the International Vehicle Standards Division and I have been asked to reply.

Under Regulation 61A of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, it is an offence to use a car on the road that has been modified and, as a result of the modification, does not meet the emissions requirement that applied to it when new. This is likely to be the case if a diesel particulate filter is removed. A copy of Regulation 61A is attached for information.

I hope this is helpful."

"jeebowhite" reply


"Good Afternoon and thank you for your reply. Until such a time as you are able to confirm the below information I will certainly not be taking the option of the removal.

Some companies have offered a “guarantee” that when they remove the DPF they will re-calibrate the ECU to ensure that it passes the emissions test for MOT. One specific company has offered a two year guarantee to ensure that this is the case.

If a vehicle is modified and passes the emissions test at a time of MOT, does this class as sufficient coverage to ensure that act 61A has been adhered to? And would the emissions have to meet exactly the standard as it was when it left the factory, or is a case that the vehicle must still pass the emissions, whereby as long as the vehicle does not fail the emissions test, then is this considered legal as per the quoted below?

I wonder this as I know as years go on the vehicles will lose efficiency and emissions will likely change as the vehicle and components age, and I don’t understand how the vehicle must abide to section 61A as it will age and surely will not be as efficient as the date it left the factory?

Does this mean that in fact the DPF removal service offered by some companies is in fact an illegal?

Kind Regards

Jeebowhite "

reply given back
"From: dft.gsi.gov.uk
Sent: 28 February 2011 12:40
To: Jeebowhite
Subject: RE: Vehicle Roadworthiness Question regarding Diesel Particulate Filter

Dear Jeebowhite
Thanks for your further email of 25 February about the diesel particulate filter on your car. Please see my response (below in red) to your questions. I hope this is helpful.

Yours sincerely

Department for Transport


________________________________________
From: JeeboWhite
Sent: 25 February 2011 14:22
To: dft.gsi.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Vehicle Roadworthiness Question regarding Diesel Particulate Filter

Good Afternoon and thank you for your reply. Until such a time as you are able to confirm the below information I will certainly not be taking the option of the removal.

Some companies have offered a “guarantee” that when they remove the DPF they will re-calibrate the ECU to ensure that it passes the emissions test for MOT. One specific company has offered a two year guarantee to ensure that this is the case.

If a vehicle is modified and passes the emissions test at a time of MOT, does this class as sufficient coverage to ensure that act 61A has been adhered to? No it does not.

And would the emissions have to meet exactly the standard as it was when it left the factory, or is a case that the vehicle must still pass the emissions, whereby as long as the vehicle does not fail the emissions test, then is this considered legal as per the quoted below? The requirement is that the vehicle must not be modified in a manner which increases its emissions beyond the emissions standard it was required to meet when new.

I wonder this as I know as years go on the vehicles will lose efficiency and emissions will likely change as the vehicle and components age, and I don’t understand how the vehicle must abide to section 61A as it will age and surely will not be as efficient as the date it left the factory? As noted above its modifications that increase emissions that are prohibited. Normal gradual deterioration would be acceptable.

Does this mean that in fact the DPF removal service offered by some companies is in fact an illegal? Yes we believe that it is. Kind Regards

Jeebowhite"


I know as bettyswollocks says there is no emmisions tests in Ireland, so this will make more of an impact on people in england, wales and possibly scotland.

[steve m]

Where is the response in red? You have pasted JeeboWhite's 2nd email twice instead of the response in red.

[pugsick]

Thats a choker,

Had 2 x companies ring me today offering to do it for me

[jmkent]

Originally Posted by steve m

Where is the response in red? You have pasted JeeboWhite's 2nd email twice instead of the response in red.

Might not be red, but the emails are different

[bettyswollocks]

As long as you still have a CAT i can`t see how they could tell.

[steve m]

I would have thought that after receiving a confused look from a number of garages I have been to in the past regarding the particulate filter I'd be surprised if they knew it wasn't there if the emission were fine.

[jmkent]

Its just the same is chipping your car - who knows, unless they really start looking. If car passes, no questions asked... if it don't, then be prepared!

[bettyswollocks]

Originally Posted by steve m

I would have thought that after receiving a confused look from a number of garages I have been to in the past regarding the particulate filter I'd be surprised if they knew it wasn't there if the emission were fine.

I know that feeling, the guy that sold me the car didn`t know what it was.

[chopper1192]

That is incorrect.

In all likelyhood, the HDi's would all pass the Type Approval emissions test re particulate emissions, which is currently set at 0.005% for Euro 5 (and 0.0025 for the forthcoming Euro 6 compliant) motors. This is actually quite a generous limit, and the HDi's are all naturally very clean engines, especially when new, and I would deem it quite likely any given HDi would pass without the filter...the same way the current DV4 HDi 90's without the filter already do with ease. The DV6 is essentially the same motor, but bigger and thermally even more efficient.

The DPF does not regulate particulate emissions while driving to any significant extent - it mainly prevents the big 'cough' of soot on start up, which it catches and burns off as the zorst reaches the proper temperature. A running engines particulate emissions are ultimately governed by it's design and efficiency, not the DPF.

DfT man is simply quoting the party line, with no actual facts or reasoning to back it up.

It's on a Ford site, which is hardly the place I'd go looking for info about anything, including Fords!

Can the title of the thread please be edited, so the gullible don't spot it and take that as gospel?

[bettyswollocks]

Originally Posted by chopper1192

Can the title of the thread please be edited, so the gullible don't spot it and take that as gospel?

Your wish