DPF clogging and forced regeneration
Attaches to dpf at component level · Emissions · carried by 65 variants across 18 chassis
Overview
DPF clogging and forced regeneration is a common fault recorded against dpf at component level, typically from 120–250k km. It shows up as warning light, limp mode, oil level rising above the maximum mark from fuel dilution. Where it's documented, the repair runs €250–€1,800 (forced regen or clean at the low end, replacement filter at the high end, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be partly checked before you buy. 65 variants across 18 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Warning light, limp mode, oil level rising above the maximum mark from fuel dilution.
Cause. The filter needs sustained hot running to regenerate. A car used for short urban trips never completes a regeneration cycle.
How to check it
OBD scan
Read the DPF soot load and the distance since the last regeneration on a scan tool, and check the engine oil level and smell it for diesel. Ask what the car was used for. A short-trip city diesel is the wrong car regardless of mileage.
Mandatory. A seller who refuses a scan has answered the question.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2009–2011 | R5 | €4,200 | 24% |
| 316d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2009–2011 | R5 | €4,450 | 23% |
| 318d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,100 | 25% |
| 318d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,350 | 24% |
| 320d M47 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R3 | €3,800 | 27% |
| 320d M47 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R3 | €4,050 | 25% |
| 320d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,400 | 23% |
| 320d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2012 | R5 | €4,650 | 22% |
| 320d N47 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R5 | €5,050 | 20% |
| 320d N47 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R5 | €4,950 | 21% |
| 325d M57 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2010 | R2 | €5,200 | 20% |
| 325d M57 | E91 | wagon | 2006–2010 | R2 | €5,500 | 19% |
| 325d M57 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2010 | R2 | €6,000 | 17% |
| 325d N57 | E90 | sedan | 2010–2011 | R3 | €7,200 | 14% |
| 325d N57 | E91 | wagon | 2010–2012 | R3 | €7,650 | 13% |
| 325d N57 | E92 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €8,300 | 12% |
| 330d M57 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2008 | R2 | €5,950 | 17% |
| 330d M57 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2008 | R2 | €6,300 | 16% |
| 330d M57 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2008 | R2 | €6,850 | 15% |
| 330d M57 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2008 | R2 | €6,700 | 15% |
| 330d N57 | E90 | sedan | 2008–2011 | R3 | €8,500 | 12% |
| 330d N57 | E91 | wagon | 2008–2012 | R3 | €9,050 | 11% |
| 330d N57 | E92 | coupe | 2008–2013 | R3 | €9,000 | 11% |
| 330d N57 | E93 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R3 | €8,750 | 12% |
| 335d M57 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2010 | R3 | €6,900 | 15% |
| 335d M57 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2010 | R3 | €7,950 | 13% |
| 2.0 TDI CJCA | B8 | sedan | 2008–2015 | R3 | €5,200 | 20% |
| 2.0 TDI CJCA | B8 Avant | wagon | 2008–2016 | R3 | €5,500 | 19% |
| 3.0 TDI CCWA | B8 | sedan | 2008–2015 | R4 | €7,500 | 14% |
| 3.0 TDI CCWA | B8 Avant | wagon | 2008–2016 | R4 | €7,900 | 13% |
| C 220 CDI OM651 | W204 | sedan | 2009–2014 | R3 | €5,700 | 18% |
| C 220 CDI OM651 | S204 | wagon | 2009–2014 | R3 | €6,000 | 17% |
| C 320 CDI OM642 | W204 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R3 | €6,600 | 16% |
| C 320 CDI OM642 | S204 | wagon | 2008–2011 | R3 | €6,950 | 15% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | Mk6 | hatchback | 2009–2013 | R3 | €5,350 | 19% |
| 116d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2009–2011 | R4 | €4,050 | 25% |
| 116d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2009–2011 | R4 | €3,600 | 28% |
| 118d M47 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €3,200 | 32% |
| 118d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €4,600 | 22% |
| 118d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €4,100 | 25% |
| 118d N47 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €4,700 | 22% |
| 118d N47 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,950 | 21% |
| 120d M47 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €3,550 | 29% |
| 120d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €5,150 | 20% |
| 120d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €4,600 | 22% |
| 120d N47 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €5,250 | 20% |
| 120d N47 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €5,550 | 18% |
| 123d N47S | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,450 | 16% |
| 123d N47S | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €5,750 | 18% |
| 123d N47S | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €6,650 | 15% |
| 123d N47S | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €6,950 | 15% |
| 2.0 TDI CBAB | 8P | hatchback | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,700 | 22% |
| 2.0 TDI CBAB | 8PA | hatchback | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,800 | 21% |
| 2.0 TDI CBAB | 8P7 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,950 | 21% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 8P | hatchback | 2009–2013 | R3 | €4,150 | 25% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 8PA | hatchback | 2009–2013 | R3 | €4,250 | 24% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 8P7 | convertible | 2009–2013 | R3 | €4,400 | 23% |
| E 220 CDI OM651 | W212 | sedan | 2009–2016 | R3 | €6,300 | 16% |
| E 220 CDI OM651 | S212 | wagon | 2009–2016 | R3 | €6,650 | 15% |
| E 200 CDI OM651 | W212 | sedan | 2010–2016 | R3 | €5,500 | 19% |
| E 200 CDI OM651 | S212 | wagon | 2010–2016 | R3 | €5,800 | 18% |
| E 250 CDI OM651 | W212 | sedan | 2009–2016 | R3 | €7,300 | 14% |
| E 250 CDI OM651 | S212 | wagon | 2009–2016 | R3 | €7,700 | 13% |
| E 350 CDI OM642 | W212 | sedan | 2009–2016 | R3 | €8,750 | 12% |
| E 350 CDI OM642 | S212 | wagon | 2009–2016 | R3 | €9,200 | 11% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.