Unkowingly bought car that has had DPF gutted

burtwald

Hi all, I bought an old VW 2006 from a garage/dealer less than 30 days ago. I started to smell some exhaust fumes when in traffic so I got my local garage to check it out. He didn't find the source, however mentioned that the car has a DPF and it looked to him like it has been gutted. I checked on the internet what this means and seems its a way of removing the filter to 'fool' the MOT. Reading that this is illegal, what are my rights? and how should I approach the garage?

Thanks

motorguy

burtwald wrote: »

Hi all, I bought an old VW 2006 from a garage/dealer less than 30 days ago. I started to smell some exhaust fumes when in traffic so I got my local garage to check it out. He didn't find the source, however mentioned that the car has a DPF and it looked to him like it has been gutted. I checked on the internet what this means and seems its a way of removing the filter to 'fool' the MOT. Reading that this is illegal, what are my rights? and how should I approach the garage?

Thanks

You have a DPF, its just empty, so it will pass MOT. There is no legislation upcoming to change this - and unlikely to be any for the next two or three years.

Personally - you're better off without it.

forgotmyname

It doesnt fool the MOT reading, what you shouldbe getting is a bit more smoke. But if it passes an MOT then its not an issue.

Most healthy cars will pass the MOT with DPF and CATs removed. It shows the engine is running well and healthy.

When they introduced CATs around 1993, a lot of people removed them and the cars still passed the MOT emissions.

Be happy your have one less troublesome part to replace and you will get slighty more power and better economy because of it, but on the other hand the guy maybe wrong and its not gutted at all.

And no it doesnt fool the MOT reading, if the engine is worn then it will fail the test. if its healthy then it will pass.

Johnmcl7

Which Golf is it? I had a 2006 Skoda with the 2.0 TDI 170bhp engine which in the range only that one and the 4x4 2.0 TDI 8v had the DPF fitted, the rest of the engines (the 1.9 PD TDI and the 2.0 TDI 140 PD) didn't have a DPF fitted. I'm not so well versed on the Golf range though.

arcon5

They've done you a favour if you ask me. When dpf start playing up your often looking at four figure sums to replace. Even sensors and hoses can be running in to hundreds

gilbert_and_sullivan

The only 'fooling' of the MOT test is that the otherwise troublesome DPF canister might or might not be empty, maybe your mechanic can see signs of not so perfect re-welding around the part, but unless the vile thing is taken apart there is no way of being certain either way.
Your only real problem is if the engine is producing excess smoke under repeated max revs, that's the Diesel MOT test basically (unless its blindingly obvious that its been stripped that the MOT tester can't possibly pass), if its producing excess smoke then its either a sign of engine/fueling problems or it's had an optimistic(greedy) remap or tuning box fitted.

As said the thing will be nothing but a pain in the behind if it's still got the core inside, so if it passes MOT's i'd be quietly pleased.

burtwald

Thanks guys, was very useful. I did read this 'garagewire.co.uk/news/mot-changes-to-be-introduced-in-may-following-dpf-investigation/' but the department for transport says they are only looking at research, not implementing it yet, but will be something to look for in the future.

motorguy

burtwald wrote: »

Thanks guys, was very useful. I did read this 'garagewire.co.uk/news/mot-changes-to-be-introduced-in-may-following-dpf-investigation/' but the department for transport says they are only looking at research, not implementing it yet, but will be something to look for in the future.

You're probably getting slightly more MPG without it, and slightly more power too.

Having a DPF is like stuffing a sock in to your mouth and then trying to breathe. Without it the engine can breathe properly.

Strider590

I echo most of the above, better off without the DPF, all they do is burn more fuel in order to produce less emissions and then at some random time when they're not being emissions tested, in does a regen cycle, the engine changes it's ignition timings and burns a sh*t tonne of fuel to dislodge all the saved up emissions gunk and dump in onto the road.

Now one problem you might have is the cars ECU might not have been altered when the DPF was gutted and it might still try to run regen cycles, which without a DPF is going to be like driving a black fog machine.