PRESS RELEASE
Release date: 24thNovember 2014
DPF shortcut not saving money, claims expert
Garages illegally removing Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) to try and cut costs are not only misleading customers, but aren't actually saving them as much money as they may think.
That's the message from motor parts reconditioning specialist DPF Clean Team, following a recent BBC investigation into DPF servicing. The investigation found one in ten UK garages are illegally removing DPFs to save customers' money, because the cost of replacing a DPF is far higher. Garages have also been known to remove the actual filter and leave the DPF casing in place, in the hope of bypassing the system.
Not only does DPF Clean Team believe the number of garages removing DPFs may be higher than one in ten, but it is warning garages that this illegal measure isn't actually saving as much money as the legal option of DPF cleaning.
Recent legislation introduced in February this year means that diesel vehicles fitted from new with a DPF will immediately fail an MOT test, if the unit has been tampered with in any way.
However, the responsibility is on the consumer rather than the garage for ensuring the DPF remains fitted and in working order. According to Cameron Bryce, Director of DPF Clean Team, garages that are removing DPFs instead of replacing them, in order to save their customers money, are not just doing their customers a disservice, but themselves too.
"Prior to a change in legislation, cars were MOT tested on emissions levels and not whether their DPF was attached. Garages have a responsibility to inform their customers of this change and those removing the filter in the hope of bypassing the system are not providing great customer service,"he said.
"What workshops, and potentially customers, are missing is the fact that it is far more expensive to remove and remap the DPF than cleaning the filter. It is important both sides understand the consequences and share this responsibility. Cleaning the filter really is a cost effective solution and can be done for just a few hundred pounds, rather than the thousands of pounds a new DPF is likely to cost, protecting customers against both expenses and the risk of prosecution."
DPF Clean Team already works alongside many of the UK's car supermarkets, as well as Leicestershire Metropolitan police fleet and 1,800 garages throughout the UK, providing a 48-hour turnaround of DPF cleaning, as part of a total care package including the sourcing of replacement DPFs, a technical helpline for garages, and a six month cleaning guarantee. As the motor trade and the public start to further scrutinise garage practices with DPFs, the company is calling on garages to consider a more cost effective and more importantly, legal option for dealing with blocked DPFs.
Cameron Bryce concluded: "There's only so long garages can continue to get away with illegally removing DPFs and we are urging them to consider an alternative option that is more in line with their duty of care for their own customers. You may think you are saving money by removing DPFs but the cost to your customers of being found without a DPF are far higher."
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About DPF Clean Team
Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, DPF Clean Team has over 15 years' experience in the motor parts reconditioning industry and is one of a handful of companies in the UK to offer a full DPF cleaning service to independent or franchise garages and commercial fleet and plant operators across the country.
DPF Clean Team has sought worldwide best practice and undergone extensive training to be able to offer its unique DPF cleaning service, developing flow test results in conjunction with University of Nottingham.
The company's process utilises state of the art ultrasonic cleaning technology and the firm will continue to use the highly successful and unique ISO 9001 system. The six step cleaning system uses powerful non-flammable chemicals available only to DPF Clean Team.
DPF Clean Team is committed to providing excellent customer service and a cost-effect and legal solution for the trade to offer customers.
For further information, please contact:
John Edden
Bridge PR & Media Services
T: 024 7652 0025
E: john@bridgepr.co.uk