Is it really the filter?
Eight questions will tell you.
A transparent scoring model over the symptoms we see most often. It weighs your answers across eight possible causes and shows you exactly which answers drove the result — including the cases where the filter is fine and something upstream is at fault.
- Questions
- 8
- Possible causes
- 8
- Time needed
- ~60 seconds
- Cost
- Free
Question 1 of 8
What is the vehicle telling you right now?
Why we show our working
Plenty of workshops will tell you the filter is blocked because that is the expensive answer. This tool scores your answers against eight causes and names the ones that pointed where it landed — so you can judge the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
Two of the eight outcomes conclude you probably do not need us yet. We would rather tell you that.
Before you answer
- Have the odometer reading or engine hours to hand.
- Think about the last month of use, not just today.
- If a garage has already given you a fault code, keep it — it is worth more than any online tool.
Eight causes, not one
A blocked-filter warning has more than one explanation, and several of them are considerably cheaper to fix than a clean.
Ash-loaded filter — cleaning required
Your answers point to accumulated ash rather than soot. Regeneration cannot remove ash; the filter needs physical cleaning.
₹8,500 – ₹24,000
Soot-loaded filter — regeneration candidate
The pattern suggests combustible soot build-up. A supervised regeneration may clear it without removing the filter.
₹2,500 – ₹3,500
Possible sensor fault — filter may be fine
Your symptoms are consistent with a faulty sensor reporting a blockage that may not exist.
₹1,800 – ₹2,800
Likely injector problem loading the filter
Rapid reloading and smoke point upstream — an injector is probably putting unburnt fuel into the exhaust.
₹3,200 +
Turbocharger condition affecting the filter
Blue smoke, oil consumption or boost problems suggest the turbo is contributing to filter loading.
₹2,600 +
Possible EGR system fault
The symptom pattern is consistent with excessive exhaust gas recirculation raising soot output.
₹1,500 +
Driving pattern preventing regeneration
The filter may be recoverable through a change in use, without workshop intervention.
₹1,500
Possible substrate damage — assessment needed
Some answers raise the possibility of physical damage to the filter core. This needs inspection before anything else.
Assessment ₹1,500
Confirm it with a measurement
Whatever the tool suggested, a 60–90 minute diagnostic settles it with ECU data and a real back pressure reading — and the cost is credited against whatever work follows.