Diesel particulates filter clogs if low mileage?

daveyjp

DPFs should be considered as much a consumable as a clutch or timing belt.

An owner may never need to change it, but once full it does need changing as the filter becomes clogged with ash as hard as concrete and can't be cleaned.

Also remember a DPF is part of a system and has sensors which also fail.  You therefore need someone who knows these systems to diagnose problems as a fix to a problem could be cheaper than a new filter.

GDB2222

So, really, taking ulez into account , the only options are to go for a very recent diesel or a petrol car. Even then, the diesel is likely to have problems.

I should have said that the 'we' in the OP is my son. I have always run a petrol car, which is why I’m so utterly confused by the diesel problems. 

My son’s car was recently run into, and he needs to replace it. He’s been moaning to me about how expensive replacements are, particularly if he goes for a petrol car. He does seem to have a point. 

Flight3287462

Proposed changes in MOTs concerning DPFs and  particulate number testing is proposed and I imagine will be implemented in the next year or so once new equipment roll out is mandated.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-the-date-of-the-first-mot-test-and-research-into-other-mot-enhancements/changes-to-the-date-of-the-first-mot-test-and-research-into-other-mot-enhancements

[Deleted User]

As a countryside dweller and long time fan of diesels, I wouldn't consider a diesel for the kind of usage you're describing.
There's just too many costly items to go wrong (dpf and egr valve being just two of them).
My money would probably go on a Skoda Fabia 1.2tsi. They're fuel efficient, nippy enough and very well built.
Like all cars, they've gone up in price but still seem pretty good value compared to a lot of others in my opinion.

Herzlos

Diesel for such low annual mileages and short trips doesn't make much sense outside of a few edge cases like the vehicle being really heavy or needing a lot of torque otherwise - like a campervan, towing or off-roading. Or if the vehicle is only available in diesel.

With 5 mile journey a diesel won't get properly warm which means the fuel economy will be garbage and the DPF is very likely to have problems.

A petrol car will be much nicer to drive and cheaper to run.

silvercar

Why not go electric? For such short journeys you could happily charge on a 3 pin plug charger overnight, without needing to install a car charger? It would mean you didn't have to pay the congestion charge when you go into central London.

GDB2222

[Deleted User] said:

As a countryside dweller and long time fan of diesels, I wouldn't consider a diesel for the kind of usage you're describing.
There's just too many costly items to go wrong (dpf and egr valve being just two of them).
My money would probably go on a Skoda Fabia 1.2tsi. They're fuel efficient, nippy enough and very well built.
Like all cars, they've gone up in price but still seem pretty good value compared to a lot of others in my opinion.

Curiously, I suggested a Skoda Octavia, as he needs something a bit bigger than a Fabia. 

jimjames

GDB2222 said:

So, really, taking ulez into account , the only options are to go for a very recent diesel or a petrol car. Even then, the diesel is likely to have problems.

Petrol car could be pretty much any since around 2001 so that gives a very wide choice. Even my 1998 petrol vehicle is exempt from ULEZ

macman

Bigwheels1111 said:

sevenhills said:

Bigwheels1111 said:

Do you know the ULEZ is on track to expand and cover almost everywhere inside the M25.
Unless it’s a euro 6 Diesel from 2015 ish you will be charged £12.50 a day to drive.
I would go with a Toyota Hybrid.
My mate cabs his Prius in London get 55-58 mpg.

I have a euro 6 diesel, and will get an extra 4 year exemption if the euro 7 comes out and they ban euro 6
as car is registered disabled.
My next car will probably be a Toyota Corolla estate 1.8 or 2.0L petrol.
EV is not an option for me.

Surely every car owner in London knows about that. I have heard about it a few times on the news.

Why would GDB2222 want a diesel then, risk of clogged dpf and a daily charge.
It was news to me, when I found out about it a month ago.

It's not all diesels, just those earlier than Euro 6, which means reg'd before 1/9/2015. Although some earlier reg's may still be compliant.

macman

GDB2222 said:

So, really, taking ulez into account , the only options are to go for a very recent diesel or a petrol car. Even then, the diesel is likely to have problems.

I should have said that the 'we' in the OP is my son. I have always run a petrol car, which is why I’m so utterly confused by the diesel problems. 

My son’s car was recently run into, and he needs to replace it. He’s been moaning to me about how expensive replacements are, particularly if he goes for a petrol car. He does seem to have a point. 

It doesn't have to be 'very recent': any diesel car up to 7 years old will be Euro 6 and compliant. But, potential DPF issues apart, I don't understand why you are considering diesel if your annual mileage is no more than 3.6k pa/10 miles per day? The fuel economies don't kick in until you get to around 10k miles pa.