HALFORDS AUTOCENTRES WARNS MOTORISTS OF MOT LAW CHANGE
Halfords Autocentres is advising drivers of diesel cars on important changes to MOT law covering diesel particulate filters (DPFs).
The guidance is intended to help them overcome stricter rules surrounding emissions tests, which has left tens of thousands of motorists facing bills of around £1,000 this month - the single busiest the year for MOT testing.
Prior to a change in the legislation, introduced in February, cars were only tested on emissions levels and not whether their DPF was attached. Now any car that should have a DPF but is found to have it missing will instantly fail.
Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres explains: “Rather than explaining why these important filters become clogged and offering a simple solution that will prevent the issue in the majority of cases, some garages have been removing the DPF.
“This practice has always been illegal but some companies are continuing to advertise the service as though it is a legitimate long-term solution. This means thousands of owners are now facing the cost of a buying a replacement DPF and having it re-fitted.
“A preventative exhaust system cleaner like Cataclean costing as little as £20 can help stop the DPF getting blocked. However, even in cases where a clogged filter has caused a warning light to come on all is not lost - a DPF cleaning and regeneration product like PowerMax is likely to solve the problem in the majority of cases for around £30.”
DPFs often become clogged with soot if a vehicle is frequently used to make short journeys – because it does not get hot enough to burn off the particulates that build up over time, unlike motorway journeys.
Fuel and exhaust system cleaner Cataclean not only helps all types of diesel and petrol cars pass their MOT emissions test by cleaning the vehicle’s engine but, providing it is used before the DPF has become clogged, can prevent the DPF failure by lowering soot emissions by up to 60% - with further treatments once a quarter keeping it clean.
William Jones from Cataclean Global Ltd said: “The changes to the MOT test relating to DPF removal were brought about by Department for Transport because of concerns that vehicles were being modified in a way that is was detrimental to people’s health. Effectively removing the DPF undoes the work car manufacturers have done to improve emissions standards.
“Our message to motorists with a DPF is to keep their engine clean by using Cataclean as a preventative measure before problems arise. For motorists, running cars not originally fitted with a DPF Cataclean can help a car pass its emissions test and help you save money by improving engine performance and making your car more fuel efficient.”
To find out more about Cataclean visit Halfordsautocentres.com or call into your nearest Halfords Autocentre.
Ends
Media contacts:
Stuart Humphreys, Automotive PR Manager
T: 01527 513410, M: 07738 751930
E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk
Cataclean: Ben Pinnington, Polaris Media
T: 0151 550 4710 M: 07887 562900
Notes to Editors:
March is the single busiest month of the year for MOT testing, with almost 2.7 million vehicles* (28% more than the annual average) due to be examined by garages - of which over 1 million are expected to fail.
In the year April 2011 to March 2012, a total of 26,800,000 vehicles that were three years old or more needed an MOT, of which 10.74 m (40.1%), failed and needed repair work before being allowed back on the road. This failure figure is up 100,000 on the previous year and one million more than in 2009/10. (Source: VOSA Annual Report)
About Halfords Autocentres
As a leading independent MOT, car service, repair and tyre garage network, Halfords Autocentres carries out 400,000 MOTs a year. It employs highly trained ATA accredited technicians who use the latest in vehicle diagnostic equipment at 300 UK sites to deliver dealership quality work at affordable prices.
Being independent experts means that we are able to service, repair and maintain any make or model of car in line with the manufacturer’s standards, whilst offering a local price match promise and peace of mind in the form of a minimum guarantee of 12 months or 12,000 miles on work carried out. (See website for terms and conditions).
The Halfords Autocentres name may be a recent addition to the Halfords Group, but our heritage spans more than three decades and we serve over 750,000 customers every year - with over 8 out of 10 of them being happy to recommend us to their friends.
About Cataclean®
Developed in 1995, Cataclean® is the flagship product of System Products, which was established in 1999 to market Cataclean®. Patents have been obtained worldwide. The product is a fuel system cleaner for both diesel, petrol and hybrid engines. Cataclean® has and continues to market its product through established distributors in the motor trade.
Directions for use
For optimum use Cataclean® should be applied to a quarter-full tank. The car engine should be run for around 20 minutes. The car can be stationary for this, ie in a garage.
Cataclean® should be used on a quarterly basis and can also be used prior to MOT tests to reduce carbon emission readings.
Cataclean® effectiveness in reducing car CO2 emissions varies in every case but can reduce these emissions by up to 60%.
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