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Peugeot 308: BlueHDi 1.5 DPF Blockage from Urban Driving

BlueHDi 1.5 DPF Blockage from Urban Driving is a common engine fault on the Peugeot 308 on the 2017–2021 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 26 documented faults on the Peugeot 308.

Vehicle
Peugeot 308
Engine
1.5L
Years
2017–2021
Fuel
diesel
System
Engine

This page covers the Peugeot 308 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Peugeot 308 faults26 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Diesel particulate filter yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine's diesel particulate filter (DPF) requires sustained high-speed running to complete passive regeneration. Cars used predominantly in urban or stop-start driving accumulate soot faster than the DPF can self-clean, leading to a blocked filter. A blocked DPF triggers limp mode and, if ignored, can cause the DPF to crack or the engine to enter emergency shutdown. Forced regeneration at a workshop is the first remedy, but severely blocked or damaged DPFs require replacement. Common on NZ urban-use examples.

What you would notice

  • DPF warning light on dashboard
  • Reduced power or limp mode activation
  • Excessive smoke from exhaust during attempted regen
  • Increased fuel consumption
  • Strong diesel smell from exhaust at idle

How to check it

Where to look. DPF in exhaust system, under car mid-section behind catalytic converter

  1. Request a diagnostic scan and check DPF soot loading percentage — above 80% is critical.

  2. Ask about the car's primary use (city vs highway).

  3. Check for DPF-related fault codes in history.

  4. Inspect exhaust for soot deposits at the tailpipe.

Parts involved: Diesel particulate filter.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Is the car primarily used for city or short-trip driving?”
  • “Has the DPF warning light appeared and how was it resolved?”
  • “Has a forced DPF regeneration been carried out and when?”

Now check the Peugeot 308 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Peugeot 308 buyer questions

Is bluehdi 1.5 dpf blockage from urban driving serious on a Peugeot 308?

We rate it major and common on the Peugeot 308. The 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine's diesel particulate filter (DPF) requires sustained high-speed running to complete passive regeneration. Cars used predominantly in urban or stop-start driving accumulate soot faster than the DPF can self-clean, leading to a blocked filter. A blocked DPF triggers limp mode and, if ignored, can cause the DPF to crack or the engine to enter emergency shutdown. Forced regeneration at a workshop is the first remedy, but severely blocked or damaged DPFs require replacement. Common on NZ urban-use examples.

How much does it cost to fix on a Peugeot 308?

$400 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Peugeot 308 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2017–2021 Peugeot 308. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Request a diagnostic scan and check DPF soot loading percentage — above 80% is critical. Ask about the car's primary use (city vs highway). Check for DPF-related fault codes in history. Inspect exhaust for soot deposits at the tailpipe. Look here: DPF in exhaust system, under car mid-section behind catalytic converter