Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF) Seat Leon

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–2h00 ~50–200£
Estimated time 0h30–2h00
Estimated labour cost ~50–200£
Difficulty Easy
Vehicles
Leon I 1999-2006 5
  • 1.9 SDi Diesel (AQM)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AGR)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ARL)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASZ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AXR)
Leon II 2006-2013 13
  • 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYB)
  • 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYC)
  • 1.9 8V TDI (DPF) Diesel (BLS)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BKC)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BXE)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BXF)
  • 2.0 8V TDI DPF Diesel (BMM)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CEGA)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CFHC)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CFJA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (AZV)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (BKD)
  • 2.0 TDI DPF Diesel (BMN)
Leon III 2013-2020 20
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CRKB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CXXA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CXXB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DBKA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DDYA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DDYB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DGTE)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CKFC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRMB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CUNA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CUPA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DCYA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DFFA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DFGA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DJGA)
Leon IV 2020-2025 5
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSTB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSUD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTC)
Check the catalytic converter 0h30
Remove/refit the catalytic converter 1h30–2h00
Renew the catalytic converter 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the front catalytic converter with the exhaust pipe 1h30–2h00
Renew the front catalytic converter with the exhaust pipe 1h30–2h00
Prepare the catalytic converter heat shield for installation* 0h45
Check the diesel particulate filter saturation (using a diagnostic tool) 0h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter 2h00–10h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter 2h00–10h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 3h30–5h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 3h30–5h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Manual transmission, Front-wheel drive 7h00–9h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Semi-automatic transmission 7h00–8h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Semi-automatic transmission 8h00–9h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Manual transmission, Front-wheel drive 7h00–9h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive reservoir 2h00–2h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive reservoir 2h00–2h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Dual-clutch transmission, Front-wheel drive 8h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Manual transmission 8h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector 0h45
Renew the diesel particulate filter Dual-clutch transmission, Front-wheel drive 8h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Manual transmission 7h00–8h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector 0h45
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank control unit 0h30
Drain/refill the AdBlue tank 0h45–1h30
Renew the AdBlue tank control unit 0h45
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Dual-clutch transmission 7h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Dual-clutch transmission 8h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Manual transmission, 4WD 9h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Manual transmission, 4WD 9h00
Check/top up the diesel particulate filter fuel additive 0h30
Renew the catalytic converter gasket 1h30
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

What is a Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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.

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4 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
Leon I 1999-2006 1999-2006 1.4 16V Petrol (AHW), 1.4 16V Petrol (AXP), 1.4 16V Petrol (BCA), 1.6 16V Petrol (AUS), 1.6 16V Petrol (AZD), 1.6 16V Petrol (BCB), 1.6 8V Petrol (BFQ), 1.6 Petrol (APF), 1.8 20V Petrol (APG), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AJQ), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (APP), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARY), 1.… Diesel, Petrol
Leon II 2006-2013 2006-2013 1.2 TSI Petrol (CBZB), 1.4 Petrol (BXW), 1.4 Petrol (CGGB), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CAXC), 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYB), 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYC), 1.6 LPG LPG,Petrol (CHGA), 1.6 MultiFuel Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (CMXA), 1.6 Petrol (BSE), 1.6 Petrol (CCSA), 1.8 TFSI Petrol (BZB), 1.8 TSI Pet… Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, LPG, Petrol
Leon III 2013-2020 2013-2020 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZD), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKLB), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKRF), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CJZA), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CJZB), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CYVA), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CYVB), 1.4 TGI CNG CNG,Petrol (CPWA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CHPA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CMBA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CXSA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CZ… CNG, Diesel, Petrol
Leon IV 2020-2025 2020-2025 1.0 TSI Petrol (DLAB), 1.0 TSI, -e Petrol (DLAA), 1.5 eTSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DFYA), 1.5 TSI Petrol (DPBA), 1.5 TSI Petrol (DPCA), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSTB), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSUD), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRD), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTA), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTC), 2.0 TFSI Petrol (DNFB), 2.0 TFSI … 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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