Following the latest announcement from VOSA, as of February 2014 it will be mandetory for all vehicles originally fitted with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) to have an operational filter at the time of the MOT test. A vehicle not having the DPF filter will, as of February, automatically fail the MOT test.

This is a massive shift in position and with many drivers facing large bills to repair or regenerate DPF systems that they were unaware of will anger many. We will advise customers as more information on this change is released and for the moment would advise DPF filters are not remove from your vehicle until more information becomes available.

The full announcement we have received reads -

Tests for diesel cars and heavy vehicles are to be tightened up to ensure vehicles have a critical exhaust filter if one had originally been fitted as standard, Roads Minister Robert Goodwill has announced.

Garages and testing stations will check for a diesel particulate filter as part of the MOT test (or annual test for heavy vehicles) in February 2014.

A diesel particulate filter is a device fitted to a diesel vehicle which filters particulate matter from exhaust gases. It does this by trapping solid particles while letting the gas escape.

Filters must be ‘regenerated’ regularly, which involves burning the soot to gas at a very high temperature, leaving behind a residue. If not carried out properly, regeneration can lead to a build up of soot, which can affect performance. Some diesel vehicle owners have opted to remove the filter, which makes their car illegal for road use.

In February, vehicles will automatically fail the MOT test if a filter had been fitted as standard but is found to be no longer present.