First introduced in the early 90s, the Sportage still makes up a large proportion of Kia’s sales, proving the SUV body style coupled with a wide range of engine and trim options is a crowd pleaser in the UK market. 

Kia offers a great warranty as standard on their cars, but does that mean you should consider buying one for a reliable, dependable family car? In this guide, we’ll find out:

Petrol-engined Sportages are generally considered to be reliable, scoring over 90% on WhatCar?'s surveys, with most problems being minor and fixed promptly. The Diesel engined Sportage, on the other hand, has quite a poor record. 

Over half the diesel cars surveyed had an issue, most of these being engine-related, and taking over a week to resolve. This gave the Diesel Sportage a reliability rating of just 66%.

Recalls happen when a manufacturing or design fault is detected after the cars have been sold, requiring the affected vehicles to be brought back to the dealership garages to have the issue resolved. Recalls are paid for by the manufacturer. 

The Sportage model made from 2019 onwards has a few recalls, some affecting a large number of vehicles. Check for outstanding 

Nearly 7,000 cars, made between August 2022 and March 2023, are affected by a software glitch that affects the start-up of the instrument cluster in certain situations. This can mean the driver is not shown the digital dash correctly. 

The fix is simple, a software update applied by the Kia main dealer.

An issue with the tandem oil pump inside the engine can affect the lubrication of the vacuum pump and cause premature failure. In turn, this can cause a loss of vacuum pressure, reducing the effect of the power-assisted brakes. Ultimately, this fault can reduce braking effort.

With quite a large number of cars affected (around 21,000), it’s vital to check your car, or any prospective cars for this issue. The remedy is fairly involved, requiring the oil pump to be checked and repaired if found to be faulty.

Another vacuum pump-related problem, this time the fault is with the ECU’s software, causing increased RPM and therefore load on the vacuum pump at start-up. This again can cause the vacuum pump to fail, resulting in reduced braking assistance. 

Thankfully, this fault is good bit easier to resolve, requiring just a software tweak. This fault only affected around 3,000 cars, so it’s less likely to affect yours, but it’s still worth checking.

The most common engine faults to occur with the Sportage involve the diesel engine variant, rather than the petrol. Faults range from blocked DPFs, faulty EGR valves and rough running. 

A DPF or Diesel Particulate Filter is a device that filters out a lot of the emissions produced by a diesel engine. It does this by trapping the soot and performing a high-temperature flushing cycle called a regeneration. Faults have been noted by a number of owners that, despite using the car for longer journeys, the DPF became clogged. Check out the average 

An EGR valve is another emissions-limiting device that recirculates an amount of exhaust gases back into the engine. If it fails or becomes clogged, as some drivers have reported with the Sportage, it can cause poor running and a rough engine idle. Typically, resolution involves removing and cleaning the EGR valve, which can be costly depending on the severity. 

Offering a good compromise between efficiency and interior space, it’s clear to see why the Sportage is one of Britain's best-selling cars. That said, with the number of owners having issues with the diesel engine variants, I would definitely recommend the petrol or hybrid options.

Regardless of what car you drive, Bumper can offer 

 to spread out your bills. There are hundreds of nationally approved partners, to sport anything from new brakes to engine replacements, all at zero-per cent interest.

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Kia Sportage Problems / Reliability Guide

The Toyota Yaris Cross, introduced in 2021, is a crossover version of the extremely popular Yaris. It features a similar compact layout, making it great for city driving, with the higher driving position of a crossover. 

But should you consider a Yaris Cross for your next car, are they reliable, and do they have any known problems? In this article, we explain all.

Yes. Toyota regularly ranks in the top three manufacturers for reliability, and did so in 2023, only being beaten by their sister company, Lexus. The Yaris seems to follow this trend too, placing 5th out of 22 cars in WhatCar?’s small car reliability test.

Further to that, Toyota offers a good 3-year warranty from new, which is extended for a year every time you get a service done at a Toyota dealership - that’s a pretty good deal and should give peace of mind.

A number of owners have reported issues with the Yaris Cross’ 12V battery system not being able to start the engine when leaving the car for more than a few days, or doing many short trips. The cause is thought to be the hybrid system not charging the battery sufficiently.

Some owners, via their Toyota warranty, have had the problem fixed with a larger capacity battery. This is a pretty simple fix, but it is a problem that most cars never have an issue with! The consensus is that the original battery is too small capacity.

If you are experiencing this issue, be sure to contact Toyota before fitting a larger battery yourself though, as a non standard battery could void the warranty.

One of the many concerns from would-be hybrid owners is the longevity of the hybrid system, especially the battery. It’s a justified concern, as it’s vital to the function of the car, and can be expensive to replace. 

Unfortunately, as the Yaris Cross only came out a few years ago, we don’t have much information on this. There are very few reports of hybrid batteries needing to be replaced. 

For peace of mind, Toyota typically offers a 10-year battery warranty on the high-voltage battery used to power the hybrid system, but be sure to check this is the case with your car. 

The Yaris Cross, like many modern petrol cars, comes fitted with a Petrol Particulate Filter (PPF or GPF). Much like a Diesel Particulate Filter, this reduces the amount of particulates that are emitted from the car's exhaust.

Some owners have reported issues with the PPF becoming clogged, despite using the car, and this causing the car to have limited power whilst driving. This can be a scary experience if it happens whilst on the motorway.

Like issues with DPFS, this clogging is mainly caused by limited usage, short journeys or infrequent use. This means a car with very low mileage might not be as reliable as one that’s done nearer the UK average per year.

Whilst this is not really a reliability issue, it is something that many owners pick fault with on the Yaris Cross: cabin noise at high speeds. This is probably a symptom of the car's lack of sound insulation - to keep weight and fuel consumption down - and its raised ride height. 

In some cases, owners have resorted to cruising at lower speeds when on the motorway, or swapping the car for something else altogether.

Again, whilst this isn’t going to leave you stranded, it’s something to consider if you do lots of high-speed motorway driving. 

From our research, the Yaris Cross seems to have very few recurring issues. I’d be happy to recommend this car to anyone, provided the storage space, styling and wind noise are not a limiting factor! 

Considering also the impressive Toyota warranty, I would say a Toyota of any kind is one of the best buys on today's new, nearly new or used market. 

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Toyota Yaris Cross Problems / Reliability Guide

Toyota Yaris Cross – Problemas y Guía de Fiabilidad

Problem-und Pannenübersicht zum Toyota Yaris Cross

The Ford EcoBoost engine was first launched in early 2012 as a 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with a power output comparable to that of a much larger engine, whilst still keeping emissions low. 

Since then, the EcoBoost has been available in almost all of Ford UK’s range of cars, but it has not come without its issues, to the point where you’ll get many people suggesting not to buy any EcoBoost-engined cars at all. 

So what's the truth behind the Ford EcoBoost engine reliability, and should you avoid them?

What is the Problem With EcoBoost Engines?

The wet belt: Engines require a system to keep the rotation of the crankshaft in time with the rotation of the camshaft(s), in most modern cars, this is done with either a cam belt or cam chain. Learn more about the 

The EcoBoost engine used what’s known as a “wet belt”, this is a rubber cam belt that runs in a bath of oil to reduce noise and friction within the engine. The issue comes in that engine oil, particularly that contaminated with fuel, degrades the rubber of the belt over time. 

This degradation led to remnants of the belt becoming clogged in the oil pickup at the bottom of the engine. This leads to improper lubrication, premature wear and/or catastrophic engine failure.

It’s important to bear in mind that despite some owners having issues, if well maintained, the vast majority of Ecoboost engines offer reliable and efficient service to their owners. That said, some engines in the lineup don’t have the aforementioned “wet belt” issue.

Certain 1.5-litre engines, and certainly those made after 2019, do not suffer from the wet cam belt issue, but some do still use a wet belt to drive the oil pump, so these can experience similar issues.

With the likelihood of having a cam belt issue depending on the year of manufacture, engine model and service history, it’s best to double-check the car you are looking at sufficiently before committing.

Since the EcoBoost was released, most of Ford's cars have the engine, including:

How to Avoid EcoBoost Issues With Your Ford

If you already own a Ford with an EcoBoost engine, don’t panic, there are a few things you can do to avoid the dreaded engine failure issue, starting with:

How Much Does Repairing an EcoBoost Engine Cost?

If your EcoBoost has suffered significant damage associated with the wet belt clogging the oil pickup, it is likely you will need a new engine. On average, owners pay around £5,600 for a new engine to be fitted. 

In some cases, the engine is not a complete write-off and can be repaired at a lower cost; this will depend on how long the engine has been running with low oil pressure. 

In some cases, as a “gesture of goodwill”, Ford have assisted with the cost of replacing the engine. This is rare, however, and will often require a comprehensive history of the car, and even an independent report proving the belt is the cause of the problem, rather than servicing.

What to Do if Your EcoBoost Engine Fails?

If you have a Ford with an EcoBoost engine that has broken due to a wet belt issue, and the car is outside of warranty, you really only have two choices: either replace the damaged engine or sell the car as-is. 

With replacement engines costing over £5,000, it is a careful balance to decide if the car is worth it, compare prices of cars on the used market, with similar spec, mileage and year. 

If your EcoBoost Ford has an issue, related to the timing belt or not, Bumper’s zero-per-cent interest financing can help you get your car back on the road 

Ford EcoBoost Engine Reliability

 was added to the VW range in 2019 to capitalise on the popularity of the compact-SUV bodystyle. Sales were strong, with many people liking the elevated ride height, however, some owners did report some issues with build quality and reliability of the T-Cross. 

If you’re in the market for a used T-Cross, make sure to read this guide on all their common and potential problems.

Yes, overall the T-Cross is reliable, achieving a 98% reliability rating from What Car? magazine. This means it is generally more reliable than VW cars on average, with the company placing 18th out of 31 manufacturers in 2018.

A recall was issued for a very small number of VW T-Cross models, when a defect was discovered that affected the deployment of the side curtain airbags - the ones that cover the side window area. It only affected cars made between late May and early June 2019. 

It is extremely unlikely that your car would be affected, as only 35 cars fall into the date bracket, but it’s still worth checking if you already own a T-Cross or are looking into buying one. 

A recall happens when the manufacturer is made aware of a quality issue or fault that could be dangerous, they are obliged to have the fault repaired at one of their dealerships, at no cost to the owner.

You can check to see if your car is affected by this or any other recalls by using the government site 

The most common engine used in the T-Cross is the VW 1.0 TSI engine, which is a 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, available in most of the company's smaller cars, as well as many SEATS, Skodas and Audis. 

It is an incredibly well-made engine, with good power and economy figures, especially for its size, but there is one issue that could be considered a known problem - the turbo actuator.

The turbo is a device attached to the car's engine that essentially makes it more efficient; most modern cars, petrol or diesel, are now fitted with a turbo. The fault causes the turbo to not operate, hindering performance and efficiency.

The fault is likely to present as a warning light on the dashboard, and/or reduced performance. Either symptom may cause the other to occur, so you’ll usually be able to tell pretty quickly if this has happened.

Some sources say the actuator fault was remedied after 2020, by an upgraded design, so you should be okay in a car made in 2020 or later, but it’s good to be aware of the issue ahead of time.

The T-Cross comes as standard with a techy digital dashboard, which is great for being able to show all different bits of information as you're driving, but it can be the source of problems on some models. 

Owners have complained of two issues: not receiving a warning when the rear seatbelts are not being used, and issues with the adaptive cruise and front assist features. Both are said to be caused by a fault within the cluster itself. 

The rear seatbelt issue can be resolved with a simple part replacement, and the adaptive cruise problem is usually resolved with a software update, but both issues are best resolved at the dealership.

If you’re looking for a compact SUV and like the styling of the T-Cross, I wouldn't let the above issues put you off. Overall, they’re well put-together cars, with a highly efficient and reliable engine.

With base models starting at around £25,000, it offers pretty good value compared to many other SUVs. For more information on the best cheap SUVs available in the UK, check out 

If you're experiencing issues with the VW T-Cross don't despair. You can split the cost of repairs and services with Bumper's 

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VW T-Cross Problems / Reliability Guide

An internal combustion engine has many different sensors and computers, all working to monitor the various inputs and outputs of the engine. When something out of the ordinary is detected, the computer alerts the driver.

One of the most common indicators of a fault is the Engine Management Light. You’ve probably seen it at some point, it is a universal shape across almost all car brands. But what exactly does the light mean?

Where is the Engine Management Light and What Does it Look Like?

Each car is slightly different, but the engine management light (EML) will probably display somewhere around your speedometer. It’s a good idea to check where it is, and that it’s working before a fault occurs.

To see the light - and all the other warning lights - turn the car's ignition on, but don’t start it yet, the lights will illuminate as part of the usual starting procedure. Look for this shape:

What Do Different Engine Management Lights Mean

Whilst the shape of the EML is standard, it can appear in different colours and states. These are the likely EMLs you may see:

What Does A Steady Orange Engine Management Light Mean?

A steady orange EML is the least severe kind, it indicates an issue with the engine that should be investigated but does not warrant immediately pulling over and stopping.

If your car has an orange engine warning light lit, get it booked in as soon as possible but it will most likely be fine to complete your journey.

What Does A Flashing Orange Engine Management Light Mean?

A flashing light is usually an indicator of something more serious, if you have an orange, flashing engine management light on your dash, pay close attention to how the car is driving and ideally get it looked at that day. 

Especially avoid driving on dual carriageways or motorways whilst this light is lit, just in case the fault causes a breakdown. Don’t make any unnecessary journeys until the car has been looked at.

What Does A Red Engine Management Light Mean?

Red warning lights almost always indicate a serious fault. If your engine management light is red, stop driving as soon as possible and contact your recovery company. 

Continuing to drive could well compromise your safety and the car's engine. 

What Can Cause the Engine Management Light to Come on?

The EML is a generic fault indicator that can be triggered by many different issues. That said, the most likely cause will be one of the following:

Is the Engine Management Light an MOT Failure?

Yes, if the engine management light illuminates at any point during the MOT test, it will be considered a serious fault and will fail your MOT.

That said, this rule only applies to petrol cars registered after 1st July 2003 and diesel vehicles registered after 1st July 2008.

How Can I Turn off an Engine Management Light?

If your car has an engine management light illuminated, the best thing to do is get the fault investigated and repaired, this will remove the light. 

A diagnostic scan tool can turn off the light, by clearing the fault code in the 

, but unless the problem is also fixed, the light will come back on within seconds of starting the engine.

To make car repair bills easier, use Bumper’s zero-percent interest 

Can I Drive My Car with an Engine Management Light on?

Depending on the severity of the fault, indicated by the colour of the EML, you may be able to still drive the car. 

A steady orange light is likely to be a minor issue, so only drive if you absolutely have to, if the light is flashing or red, don’t drive it, and consult a mechanic as soon as possible.

Why Do I Lose Power When the Engine Management Light Comes on?

Whilst they often happen together, the EML won't be the cause of the loss of power, both are a symptom of a different problem. This could be that the car is in limp-home mode due to an engine fault, a turbo pipe leak, or something else.

If your car has lost power, don’t drive any further than necessary, as it could be dangerous. Consult a mechanic as soon as possible. 

What Does the Engine Management Light Mean?

The term Mild-Hybrid is commonplace nowadays, with most manufacturers making them in some form, but what exactly is a mild hybrid?

In this article, we’ll cover exactly what they are, how they work and whether you should consider one for your next car.

A mild hybrid is a car that features a small electric motor alongside a petrol or diesel engine, but unlike full hybrids, it doesn't have the ability to drive solely on electric power. Both the motor and battery are much smaller than other hybrid vehicles.

The electric motor helps assist the engine during acceleration, and recovers energy during braking, helping to boost fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Mild Hybrids, unlike plug in or full hybrids, are usually only slightly more expensive than the petrol or diesel equivalent, thanks to their simplicity.

In a mild hybrid car, the electric motor works in tandem with the internal combustion engine (ICE). It doesn't drive the wheels by itself but contributes power to the engine in certain situations, such as when you accelerate from a standstill.

One key difference between mild hybrids and full or plug-in hybrids is that the electric motor is not connected directly to the drivetrain, it is instead connected to the engine. In many cases, the MHEV motor replaces the traditional starter motor, this means that the car can retain a traditional clutch and gearbox.

Can a Mild Hybrid Run on Electricity Only?

No, a mild hybrid cannot run purely on electricity, unlike full hybrid or plug-in hybrids (PHEV), which can travel short distances on electric power. Mild hybrids are powered by their petrol and diesel engines 100% of the time, with short periods of assistance from the motor.

Yes! Mild hybrids do indeed charge their small battery while driving, this is the only way the battery can be charged. As you decelerate, the electric motor acts as a generator and feeds some of that energy back into the battery - this is known as regenerative braking.

No, you cannot plug in a mild hybrid to charge it. The battery recharges automatically through regenerative braking. 

Owing to its small size, the battery in a mild hybrid will often be fully charged after a short journey with a few downhill sections.

What’s the Difference Between a Mild and Full Hybrid Car?

The key difference between a mild hybrid and a full hybrid lies in how much the electric motor can do, and how it is connected to the wheels. A full hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius, has its electric motor connected to the drivetrain in parallel with the engine, meaning either one, or both, can send power to the wheels.

In contrast, a mild hybrid’s electric motor is attached to the engine, and can only assist whilst the engine is running, meaning you cannot drive on electric power alone.

The cost of a mild hybrid car varies depending on the model, brand, and features, but generally, mild hybrids tend to be more affordable than full hybrids or plug-in hybrids. You can expect to pay a little premium over a standard petrol or diesel model - usually around £1,000 to £2,000.

For some buying tips on which hybrid could be best for you, why not check out our article on the 

In terms of running costs, mild hybrids offer better fuel economy than normal ICE cars, but are typically not quite as good as full or PHEV hybrids. Expect to see a modest improvement in fuel economy of around 0-15%. For example, a Ford Fiesta EcoBoost Mild Hybrid could offer up to 55 mpg, compared to around 50 mpg for the older petrol version.

Unfortunately as mild hybrids don't have an EV-only range, the hybrid system is unlikely to help reduce company car tax and VED much, but it might just push the car into a lower band, depending on the alternatives.

Mild hybrids are a great option for those looking to dip their toes into the world of hybrid cars without the cost or charging infrastructure needed. They're a solid choice for those who want better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and a bit of extra help from an electric motor but don’t mind keeping the petrol engine as the main driving force.

I would recommend anyone looking for a petrol car to consider an MHEV, but those looking for an ultimate economy, or electric-only range, should look to plug-in or self-charging hybrids.

Have Your Mild Hybrid Repaired With Bumper

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What Are Mild Hybrids?

You can’t browse for a new car online, visit a dealership, or even watch TV without hearing about hybrid cars, for the past 20+ years they’ve been the biggest motoring trend. 

Manufacturers claim numerous benefits, the most prominent being 

, but what actually is a hybrid car, and how do they work?

The term hybrid refers to a car that uses both a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion. All modern hybrids have a lithium battery pack that stores the electrical energy used by the motor.

Exactly how the engine and motor work together differs between types of hybrid, with some directly powering the wheels, and others adding power to the engine's output, retaining the traditional gearbox arrangement. 

How the batteries get charged is also something that sets the different hybrids apart. All hybrids add charge to the battery from regenerative braking to some degree, but there are also hybrids that can be charged from a charger, just like an electric car. 

As we just touched on, there are multiple different types of hybrid, each combining electric and internal combustion power in slightly different ways.

The self-charging hybrid was the first kind to be sold, with the Toyota Prius in 1999. They use only regenerative braking to charge the battery. This is energy that would otherwise be wasted when braking. Self-charging hybrids are also known as parallel or full hybrids.

To enable this, the car operates the electric motor as a generator, converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy in the form of battery charge. Early self-charging hybrids were celebrated for their incredible fuel efficiency, thanks to this principle.

Self-charging hybrids can typically drive under electric-only power at low speeds, such as when in traffic, with the engine kicking in at around 15mph.

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Plug-in hybrids still use regenerative braking to charge the battery, but they can also be charged from a home or public charger, in a similar fashion to EVs. This enables them to use the electric motor for greater periods of time.

Many plug-in hybrids can even cover a certain distance on electric only power, this is typically around 40 miles.

As the name suggests, a mild hybrid incorporates the basic premise of combining an electric motor with a petrol engine, but on a smaller scale. Mild hybrids have small electric motors and small batteries. 

In a mild hybrid, the electric motor cannot transfer power to the wheels, instead, it assists the engine, through the same drivetrain as a normal petrol-engined vehicle. 

As the combination of motor and engine replaces the traditional gearbox and clutch arrangement, all self-charging (full) and plug-in hybrids are automatic.

However, lots of mild hybrids are available with a manual gearbox.

Only Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) need charging, all other types of hybrid cars (self-charging/full and mild) convert otherwise wasted energy into battery charge, and cannot be charged.

With the increase in fuel economy, lower VED rates, and lower company car tax, hybrid cars are almost always cheaper to run than a comparatively sized petrol or diesel-engined car.

One of the best-rated hybrids is made by the company that started it all, Toyota. The new Corolla is an excellent blend of practicality, fuel efficiency and excellent engineering, it's hard to beat.

That said, most of the other brands also making hybrids are putting out some great cars, from Renault to BMW,

What is a Hybrid?

Since the Euro 5 regulatations that came into effect in 2009, Diesel particulate filters have effectively been mandatory on all new Diesel engined vehicles. 

The main aim of this regulation change was to reduce the amount of harmful pollutants emitted in towns and cities. In this article we’ll delve into what they are, why they’re used and what the drawbacks can be.

As the name suggests, it is a filter that prevents harmful particulates from exiting the engine via the exhaust system. The main particulate it stops is soot, this is a by-product of using diesel fuel. 

A DPF’s job is to trap the soot and hold it until it can be transformed into ash via a process called regeneration, which requires the DPF to be extremely hot. 

The main benefit in buring soot into ash is that the latter is much less harmful to humans, soot stays in the air we breathe for a long time, and makes up most of inner city air pollution.

Inside the unit are a series of filters, these trap the soot and keep it until it burns away. As already mentioned the burning process is known as regeneration, and it requires the filter to be at nearly 500°C. 

As the exhaust only reaches these temperatures at high speeds and engine loads, the ash will typically not burn off until the car is driven at high speeds for an extended period, such as when on the motorway.

This helps to both reduce the amount of soot emitted in and around town, but also to reduce the amount of overall polutants deposited into the air we breathe.

There are two types of regeneration; Active and Passive. Passive regeneration is the type just explained, this happens during normal usage (as long as long journeys are made) and the car’s computer needs not intervene. 

If for any reason the car is not driven at high speeds, for instance through traffic in town, the car's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) will detect that the DPF has not regenerated for a long time. It will then start an active regeneration cycle.

Active or forced regeneration generally involves the engine altering the fuel/air mixture in order to make the engine produce more heat from the exhaust, this is not very fuel efficient but can help to remove built up soot.

Some cars even use a specialst catalyst solution stored in a tank, that is injected into the DPF to aid the burning of deposited soot.

What is a Blocked Diesel Particulate Filter? 

A common fault with any DPF system is the complete or almost complete blockage of the filter due to excessive soot build up. 

One of the most cited reasons for not choosing a diesel engined car is that they need to be driven long distances, this is in part due to the DPF, another common cause can be the EGR valve.

As already mentioned, the DPF needs to reach temperatures of approximately 500°C in order for the soot to be burnt off. If the vehicle is only driven for short periods of time, the passive regeneration of the DPF will not occur. 

The ECU will inevitably try to force a regeneration, but this can only be completed if the car is at a certain temperature already and will be driven for a certain time after the regeneration has started. This is often not the case within cities and with infrequent use. 

Diesel Particulate Filters are a relatively new addition to the average diesel vehicle in the UK, they have been used in off-road diesel vehicles since 1980, such as forklifts and excavators. HGVs and trains have also used them for many years.

It wasn’t until the new Euro 5 regulations in 2009 that meant all diesel vehicles sold in Europe now required a filter to bring overall emissions down. Many manufacturers added them in advance, The PSA group (Citroen and Peugeot) were the first manufacturer to include DPFs as standard.

This means if your diesel car was sold after 2009, it will almost certainly have a DPF. Many cars prior to 2009 will do as well though, as manufacturers modified their designs to comply in advance.

The best way to check is to look in your owner’s handbook for reference to DPF regeration or similiar.

There are a number of considerations when driving a vehicle with a DPF, to ensure it does not get prematurely clogged and cause issues.

As we discussed in the regeneration section, the exhaust needs to be hot to burn off the soot, if it never reaches a temperature high enough, it will only become more blocked.

To mitigate this, don’t use the car for solely short journeys, or ensure at least once a week it does a journey above 40mph for over 30 minutes, or more if possible.

Special oils have been developed for use in DPF-fitted cars, with a lower content of elements that can cause soot build up, namely Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur.

These are usually labelled as low SAPS, and will be found at any regular shop selling engine oil. For more information about oils, 

Take care of any other engine issues promptly 

Diesels are generally more complex than petrol engines, and have various components that can fail and cause issues with DPFs.

You should pay close attention to any issues pertaining to:

All of the above can cause excess oil or soot to exit the engine, either through miss-fueling or oil consumption. These will clog up a DPF in record time, so be on the lookout for dash warning lights and act quickly.

In order to prevent the need for complete DPF replacement, you should be aware of any issues as soon as they arise. Here are the most common symptoms of a blocked DPF:

, it's best to sort it as soon as possible, as it will only get worse. For 

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Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer