Kia Seltos DPF Failure: Dealer Asks Customer To Pay 1.57 Lakh For New DPF

The Kia Seltos has one of the most refined diesel engines in its class. Necessitated by the BS6 regulations, it comes with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) based emission control system. These hardware are expensive and complex. In a recent incident, a Seltos customer from Kerala was issued an estimate of 1.57 lakh rupees after the catalytic converter on his Seltos Diesel failed.

The incident happens in Vadanappally, Thrissur. The dealer- Incheon Kia apparently took the vehicle in question, in for a detailed inspection. As per their analysis, the SUV’s catalytic converter (and DPF) had soot accumulation on the outlet side of the substrate. It says this might have led to substrate damage, and the regeneration process would involve a ‘certain risk’. Kia India recommends replacing the catalytic converter unit in such cases. Doing so will cost 1.57 lakh, including labour.

This is obviously quite steep. The screenshots, originally shared on Facebook, were soon posted on Team BHP and the same sparked a detailed discussion. Most users think the price to be quite high. 60,000- 70,000 rupees would have been more fair. All BS6 diesel cars can be prone to this issue. Proper DPF care is thus key to successful ownership.

The exact cause of this incident is unknown, and the same has escalated discussions further. The owner was reportedly told that this could probably be due to the “way he used his car”. Unfortunately, the car was not covered by warranty at the time of the failure. This also underscores the importance of investing in extended warranties. The catch here is that we are unsure if the extended warranty specifically excludes the DPF (like it does with the clutch) in which case, things would seem extremely unfair for the owner.

It goes without saying that the idea of spending 1.5 lakhs on a component that only does one job and which the driver/ user has absolutely no control over, sounds stupid. Ideally, the brand needs to get this sorted under warranty.

The only potential influence the driver has on DPF is probably how hard/soft he drives, which could generate soot that would, in the long run, accumulate in the converter. It is unfair to treat this as a ‘human-induced wear and tear’, considering the quality of fuel we get and the road and traffic scenarios that prevail. Everyone would like to drive their cars smoothly and efficiently most of the time.

The evolution/ additions necessitated by BS6 have made diesel car ownership expensive and washed off the cost advantage they had over petrol cars in regards to the same. Fixing issues on diesel cars and those with the DPF are expensive, and time-consuming.

What Are Catalytic Converter And DPF?

Both the Catalytic Converter (CAT) and DPF are complex hardware used in BS6 diesel cars to reduce pollution caused by tailpipe emissions. These are required to meet the environmental regulations set by the government. The mechanism works by reducing the exhaust gasses chemically before they are let out into the atmosphere. This removes/ reduces harmful gasses and particulate matter from them.

The CAT converts harmful gasses into water and Carbon Dioxide using chemical reactions, while the DPF filters out the finer particles like soot from the exhaust gas. Now you know what the ‘soot accumulation’ is. Both the CAT and DPF are found in modern cars.

How To Improve DPF Health?

Maintaining the health of Diesel Particulate Filter and avoiding its premature wear and tear requires you to dedicate ample time and attention to the vehicle. Taking your vehicle on occasional (and spirited) long drives can help boost the chemical reactions and burn off the soot. If the catalyst becomes clogged, particulate pollutants can clump together, leading to a breakdown.

Using XtraGreen diesel instead of normal diesel can also help. This will ensure better combustion and therefore the exhaust gas will have lesser particulate matter. This high-Centane diesel can also help ensure more efficient regeneration. All these can help in minimizing the maintenance costs of your BS6 diesel cars.