How Much Does A Diesel Particulate Filter Cost?

(Last Updated On: September 29, 2020)

What Is The Cost Of A Diesel Particulate Filter?

A diesel particulate filter can cost between $1000 and $10,000, depending on grade and brand. Cheaper DPF filters cost between $1000 and $4000. More expensive DPFs start at the $4000 make and go all the way up to $10,000 for large Freightliner trucks.

In this guide, we will further explore the costs associated with diesel particulate filters…

What are the costs of DPF Filters?

What Is The Cost of a New DPF Filter?

First, let’s start by saying that DPF filters are rather expensive. How expensive? let’s see…

A new DPF filter from a car manufacturer can cost anywhere from $1000 to $4000 depending on the vehicle and the grade of DPF filter.

For larger vehicles like Freightliners, they can go up to even $10,000. Yes, we are serious. They are that expensive.

As you can imagine, in some cases, replacing a DPF will completely wipe out the cost savings associated with driving a diesel vehicle.

Well, at least in the short term. Over time you will still see savings from your diesel assuming you don’t need to replace another DPF.

What Is The Cost of a Used DPF Filter?

As cars get older, the cost of replacing your DPF can become rather exorbitant considering the value of the car.

In fact, in some cases, replacing the DPF could even exceed the value of the car.

Moreover, the older a car gets and the more mileage it picks up, the more likely it is to require a DPF replacement.

So let’s say your car is valued at $6000 and your replacement DPF costs $3500. As you can see, that’s more than half the value of your car.

That’s a pretty big investment for something that does not add any real value to your car.

This is why so many people simply decide to remove the DPF when it goes bad.

However, we here at DoNotDPFDelete.green always recommend that you drive with a proper DPF to cut down emissions and abide by the law.

Finding A Cheaper DPF

As we’ve already said, the cost of a DPF can be rather exorbitant. To solve this problem, there are quite a number of suppliers nowadays offering diesel particulate filters that charge less.

However, as with anything else that costs less, you need to be extra careful. If you are going with one of these suppliers, you need to ensure that they have the correct type of DPF for your vehicle or you may end up spending even more money on repairs.

In other words, ensure you speak with professionals.

Also, ensure they are certified to deliver on whatever they promise. There are several mechanic salesmen out there selling all types of parts for all types of cars. You don’t need that kind of service.

You need a supplier that is knowledgeable about DPF filters and emissions and is certified to provide a replacement DPF for you car. Otherwise, you may face issues like this:

What Is A DPF Anyway?

Diesel particulate filters are devices used to remove soot from vehicle emissions. These devices are very important as they help to reduce the emission of harmful gasses into the environment.

In fact, in some countries, including in the United States, it is illegal to remove the DPF from your vehicle.

However, if your DPF is damaged then you will need a replacement. Of course, the next question is what is the cost of a diesel particulate filter?

How To Make Your DPF Last Longer

1. Regeneration

DPF regeneration is the process of cleaning all the unwanted soot that the filter captured over time.

You can find out more about DPF regeneration here. If you are driving a Freightliner, you can find out more about DPF regeneration of a Freightliner here.

If you already know what DPF regeneration is, be sure to let the thing regenerate every 200 miles or so.

It’s very important that you regen your vehicle when the light appears on your dashboard. Let’s say you have only done say 30000 miles and the light comes up on the dash.

You decide to ignore it because the manufacturer suggests manual regeneration after 70000 mils or whatever.

That may not be a good idea. When the light comes up in such cases, most people are not initially concerned until serious problems develop. if that happens to you, read this regeneration guide.

2. Servicing

Servicing your car is very important to keep your DPF in top shape. Why? Because servicing your car helps reduce emissions.

The better your engine is working and the better quality oil your car has to work with, the lower your emissions will be.

Quality oil is very important when it comes to emissions. DPFs will not tolerate mineral or semi-synthetic blended oils very well.

Most if not all DPS require low or very low SAPS additives. You can check what your DPF specifically requires by simply looking for its ACEA C1-C5 ratings.

It is very important that you use a grade of oil that meets your car manufacturer’s specification. If you decide to use a different type or grade of oil, you may very well run into serious problems such as DPF ash clogging especially if the SAPS is too high.

On the other hand, if SAPS is too low, then you will probably experience serious engine degradation as a result of engine wear.

3. Fuel Quality

Fuel quality is important as well. many people believe that the can use whatever quality diesel in their engine because a diesel engine can take any grade fuel. While diesel engines are certainly robust, if you regularly use low grade fuel, your engine will suffer.

The car will probably still work,  but you may start seeing some green smoke and may need to replace your DPF after a while.

In fact, this may have happened to you which is why you are reading this. if so, that’s ok, we hope to have answered your question regarding DPF filter cost as well as any other question you have.

Let’s take an example, I know someone who used to constantly buy low grade diesel from asda. When he went out to service his car, guess what? All the fuel filter was black from all the crap that it picked up.

As far as the DPF is concerned, it was completely filled with soot.  Soon after, he decided to switch to top tier diesel. When he went in to service the vehicle, the difference in the state of the engine was easily noticeable.

The fuel filter has a reasonable amount of buildup and the DPF was quite OK. Moreover, he experienced better mileage and fuel consumption. So much for buying low-grade fuel huh? In terms of top tier brands, we recommend BP Ultimate Diesel and Shell V-Power Nitro+ Diesel.

DPF Removal and Insurance Costs

When we talk about diesel particulate filter cost, we must consider the normally unseen cost of insurance. This particularly relates to removing or deleting your DPF.

While most insurers won’t concretely tell you that removing your DPF can cause serious problems for your insurance policy, we are here to tell you it can. How so? Well removing your DPF is circumventing the MOT.

If you do this, the insurer will refuse a claim on the basis that you have done so. Moreover, the will also refuse your claim on the basis that you have modified your car in an illegal manner.

Recap

Diesel particulate filter costs can be exorbitant. However, you can often avoid the costs associated with DPFs if you take proper care of your vehicle and pay close attention to it.

We hope we answered your question regarding diesel particulate filter cost and associates issues. If you have any problems, feel free to contact us.