Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF) Audi A3

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–14h00 ~50–1400£
Estimated time 0h30–14h00
Estimated labour cost ~50–1400£
Difficulty Easy
Vehicles
A3 I 1997-2003 7
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AGR)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AHF)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ALH)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASV)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASZ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ATD)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AXR)
A3 II 2003-2013 16
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYC)
  • 1.9 TDI 8V Diesel (BKC)
  • 1.9 TDI 8V Diesel (BXE)
  • 1.9 TDI 8V DPF Diesel (BLS)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V Diesel (AZV)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V Diesel (BKD)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V DPF Diesel (BMN)
  • 2.0 TDI 16V DPF Diesel (BUY)
  • 2.0 TDI 8V DPF Diesel (BMM)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBAA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBAB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBBB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFFA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFFB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFGB)
A3 III 2013-2020 20
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CRKB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CXXB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DBKA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DDYA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRFC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRUA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CUNA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DBGA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DCYA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DEJA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DEJB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DGCA)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DGTE)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DFGA)
  • 40 TDI Diesel (DJGA)
A3 IV 2020-2025 7
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DSUD)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DTRB)
  • 30 TDI Diesel (DTRD)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DSRB)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DTSA)
  • 35 TDI Diesel (DTSB)
  • 40 TDI Diesel (DTUA)
Check the catalytic converter 0h30
Check the diesel particulate filter saturation (using a diagnostic tool) 0h30
Remove/refit the catalytic converter 1h30–2h00
Renew the catalytic converter 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the front catalytic converter with the exhaust pipe 1h30–5h00
Renew the front catalytic converter with the exhaust pipe 1h30–5h00
Renew the catalytic converter gasket 2h00
Prepare the catalytic converter heat shield for installation 0h30
Prepare the catalytic converter heat shield for installation* 0h45
Check the diesel particulate filter 0h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter 5h00–16h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter 5h00–16h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 3h30–11h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 3h30–11h00
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter differential pressure sensor 0h30–0h45
Renew the petrol particulate filter differential pressure sensor 0h30–0h45
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter With diesel particulate filter 4h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Front-wheel drive 5h00–10h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Front-wheel drive 5h00–10h00
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR): check the fluid level; top up if necessary 0h30
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter temperature sensor 0h30–1h30
Renew the petrol particulate filter temperature sensor 0h30–1h30
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter 7h00–16h00
Renew the petrol particulate filter 7h00–16h00
Check/top up the diesel particulate filter fuel additive 0h30
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive reservoir 2h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive reservoir 1h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector 0h45
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector 0h45
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter control unit 11h00–14h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter control unit 12h00–16h00
Remove/refit the AdBlue system control unit 1h30–2h00
Renew the AdBlue system control unit 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector N758 0h45
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector N474 0h45
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector N474 0h45
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector N758 0h45
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank control unit 1h30
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank 1h30
Drain/refill the AdBlue tank 1h30
Renew the AdBlue tank control unit 1h30
Renew the AdBlue tank 1h30
Remove/refit the AdBlue injector 1h30
Renew the AdBlue injector 1h30

What is a Audi A3 particulate filter?

Diesel engines and direct-injection petrol engines produce soot particles. The particulate filter (DPF/GPF) traps these harmful particles as exhaust gases pass through its honeycomb structure. It is placed on the exhaust line after the catalytic converter.

How does the Audi A3 particulate filter work?

As soot accumulates, the filter periodically burns off (regenerates) the trapped particles. Active regeneration raises exhaust temperatures to 550–600°C, burning soot to ash. This occurs every 300–500 km during normal motorway driving. Vehicles driven only on short urban trips may not regenerate properly, leading to blockage.

When should you change the Audi A3 particulate filter?

The DPF is designed to last 150,000–250,000 km but depends on driving patterns. Signs of needed replacement: DPF warning light, engine in limp mode, excessive exhaust smoke, or diagnostic scan showing excessive back-pressure or failed regeneration cycles.

Can the Audi A3 particulate filter be cleaned instead of replaced?

Yes, professional DPF cleaning can restore a blocked filter at a fraction of replacement cost. However, if the filter substrate is cracked, melted, or structurally damaged, replacement is the only option. Never use a DPF removal/delete service — it is illegal and will fail the MOT/emissions test.

Is it difficult to change the Audi A3 particulate filter?

Difficulty level 2/5: technically straightforward but physically demanding due to the filter's location and weight. Key steps: raise the vehicle, disconnect pressure sensors, remove exhaust clamps/bolts, lower the old DPF, fit the new one with new gaskets, reconnect sensors, clear fault codes, perform a forced regeneration cycle.

View all compatible products →
View your A3 maintenance plan (keep the A3 token) →

4 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
A3 I 1997-2003 1997-2003 1.6 Petrol (AEH), 1.6 Petrol (AKL), 1.6 Petrol (APF), 1.6 Petrol (AVU), 1.6 Petrol (BFQ), 1.8 20V Petrol (AGN), 1.8 20V Petrol (APG), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AGU), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AJQ), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (APP), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AQA), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARX), 1.8 2… Diesel, Petrol
A3 II 2003-2013 2003-2013 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CBZB), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CAXC), 1.6 8V E-Power Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (CMXA), 1.6 8V Petrol (BGU), 1.6 8V Petrol (BSE), 1.6 8V Petrol (CCSA), 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BAG), 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BLF), 1.6 FSi 16V Petrol (BLP), 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYB), 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAY… Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, Petrol
A3 III 2013-2020 2013-2020 1.0 TFSI Petrol (CHZD), 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CJZA), 1.2 TFSI Petrol (CYVB), 1.4 TFSI CNG CNG,Petrol (CPWA), 1.4 TFSI e-tron Electricity,Petrol (CUKB+EAHA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CMBA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CPTA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CXSA), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CXSB), 1.4 TFSI Petrol (CZCA), 1.4 TFS… CNG, Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
A3 IV 2020-2025 2020-2025 30 eTFSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DLAA), 30 TDI Diesel (DSUD), 30 TDI Diesel (DTRB), 30 TDI Diesel (DTRD), 35 eTFSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DFYA), 35 TDI Diesel (DSRB), 35 TDI Diesel (DTSA), 35 TDI Diesel (DTSB), 35 TFSI Petrol (DPCA), 40 TDI Diesel (DTUA), 40 TFSI e Electricity,Petrol (DG… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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