New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
CAP warns of latent Euro 5 residual woes
Used van pricing specialist, CAP, has warned that the fitment of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) to enable the latest generation engines to meet Euro 5 emission levels may affect residual values down the line. DPFs on vans operating a daily, stop/start multidrop duty cycle in towns and cities can become clogged which may lead to expensive repairs. The knock-on effect might be caution in the future used market due to the ‘invisible’ nature of such problems. Trade buyers will factor in the risk of a clogged DPF when determining the price they will offer for a used Euro 5 van.
John Watts of CAP said: “Many diesel particulate filters require specific drive cycles in order to remain working efficiently. These filters need to reach a certain operating temperature before effectively reducing particulate emissions, but if this is not achieved they can become prone to clogging.
“This problem will mostly emerge in low speed, short distance operating cycles, typically undertaken in large conurbations. This type of operating environment could become even more of a problem for future owners since operational radius tends to reduce in the secondary market.
“A typical example could be a city-based, self-employed used van owner who travels less than ten miles to site from home and stays all day. A continuous operation of this nature could result in a blocked filter and a potential replacement cost.
“Most manufacturers issue guidelines about how to prevent total blockage. This usually consists of driving the vehicle at speed for a minimum time period in order for the filter to reach operating temperature so that it can burn off the carbon particulates. The need for this is usually indicated by a dashboard warning light. If this warning is continually ignored, permanent blockage can follow with subsequent filter replacement.“There are several potential problems for the future used market. How will subsequent owners be made aware of this issue, especially when many vehicle handbooks are not present at the time of ownership change? If problems occur, how many will take their vehicles back to the supplier, expecting them to carry out repairs under warranty? Following on from that, how will the trade view vehicle values in the light of potential problems of this nature?
In conclusion, Watts said: “CAP’s view is that the used vehicle trade need to be aware of the potential problem and ensure that vehicle documentation is complete, especially where a filter has already been replaced. Used van buyers in turn must be aware of the need for a functioning particulate filter for Euro 5 compliance and that problems may not be routinely covered under warranty.”