Internet giants refuse to ban DPF removal ads

Thousands are driving with removed DPFs and retailers are being slammed for advertising deletion services

Internet giants refuse to ban DPF removal ads
Internet giants are exploiting a loophole in the law by advertising DPF removal: removing DPF's is not an offence however driving a vehicle without one is.

Google, Gumtree and eBay have refused to ban adverts for services which removes DPF’s but the companies say they are operating within the law.

Complaints made by campaigners to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) argue that these adverts break its code which bans motoring ‘practises that condone or encourage anti-social behaviour’.

Last month figures showed that 1,118 vehicles had been found without a DPF since 2014, when ministers introduced a visual check into the MOT.

With a suspected 40,000 to 50,000 deaths per year caused by particulate pollution, Friends of the Earth (FoE) is now complaining to the ASA.

Oliver Hayes who works for FoE, said: “We’re asking the ASA to clamp down on those advertising these dubious practices and help prevent more deadly pollution hitting our children’s lungs.

“But we’re also calling on the government to make it illegal to remove these pollution filters in the first place.”

Google and Gumtree declined to take down the adverts and eBay refused to comment on the matter.

What do you think about the removal of DPF’s? Do you support calls for a crackdown on DPF removal services? Share your experiences and any concerns in the comments below.

7 Comments

  1. You know the old saying “the law is an ass”? In this case it certainly is! How can it be legal to remove a DPF but illegal to then drive the car away? And, more to the point, whu wasn’t this loophole spotted when the legislation was drafted, no doubt at great expense to the taxpayer.

    Reply
    • I have to agree with you why make a law which can be got round with ease . Vosa and trading standards need to crack down and fast .

      Reply
  2. You know the old saying “the law is an ass”? In this case it certainly is! How can it be legal to remove a DPF but illegal to then drive the car away? And, more to the point, whu wasn’t this loophole spotted when the legislation was drafted, no doubt at great expense to the taxpayer.

    Reply
    • I have to agree with you why make a law which can be got round with ease . Vosa and trading standards need to crack down and fast .

      Reply
  3. I’m fully booked for a week but the difference is there is always a fault to why the dpf has blocked and we fix this along with the cleaning of the filter . I would love to see companies fined for removing them .

    Reply
  4. I’m fully booked for a week but the difference is there is always a fault to why the dpf has blocked and we fix this along with the cleaning of the filter . I would love to see companies fined for removing them .

    Reply
  5. Those filters are a bloody nuisance in any case and what about diesels that retain the crap within the exhaust system before the DPF s were thought about? A particulate filter does not have to be completely removed either to stop it blocking does it?
    Our emissions do not come anywhere near the average emissions at .02…….. That’s impossible you say….. no it is not when burning biodiesel of decent quality. So why do the powers that be put 5% in all diesel fuel to date?

    Reply

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