Hey there! I'm by no means a car expert but do have some experience. I had a similar issue with my 2020 Dacia Sandero Diesel. Turns out the DPF was internally defective, just as you suspected. Took it to my trusty workshop, and they had it replaced for me. The damage was about 1550€. I know, quite a punch to the wallet! But, before we jump to conclusions, could you provide more details about your vehicle's usage habits and if there have been any recent maintenance jobs done? That might help me give more accurate advice. Hope this helps a bit!

Hey! Thanks for reaching out. My trusty beast - the Dacia, hit the 62857 KM mark during my latest cruise around town. The recent service check was not too long ago, at 60000 KM. Apart from that, there hasn't been any major work done on it. Mostly, I use it for city drives during weekdays and occasionally for long-hauls over weekends. I've always been mindful to not let the fuel drop below a quarter tank, as I've read someplace this helps keeps the DPF in good shape. Though, by the looks of it, seems like something's slipped off the grid. That price tag you mentioned is indeed hefty! I guess I'll have to dig around for a good mechanic in my area now. Cheers!

Hey there again! Thanks for sharing the extra info. Your mileage and usage conditions do fit the circumstances where DPF issues crop up, especially considering the significant portion of city driving - where the engine doesn't always reach the temp needed for passive DPF regeneration. Now, before you start looking for that mechanic, maybe, just maybe, the DPF isn't clogged up beyond redemption. It could be the engine's running too rich because of a faulty sensor, leaky injector or EGR valve problems - common issues with these Dusters that can cause DPF blockage and other symptoms you're experiencing. Go for an exhaustive diagnostic first - might save some bucks if it's a sensor or injector issue. If the DPF does need to be replaced, check if there are any aftermarket options - could be cheaper than original parts. Ultimately though, you might want to schedule more frequent garage visits for forced DPF regenerations or invest in a DPF cleaning additive. In the meantime, if you can, avoid those short, low-speed drives. Try hitting the open road occasionally to get the engine hot enough for DPF self-cleaning. Hope this helps, and remember, it's your call at the end of the day! Best of luck!

Hey, thanks for the tips! That sums it up beautifully. I was completely clueless about the relationship between city driving and DPF blockage. Now, I think I have a better idea of what might be going wrong. I'll begin with checking those sensors and injectors you spoke about, before facing the huge elephant in the room - the DPF replacement. For now, I'll follow your advice about avoiding low-speed city drives and fill up some DPF additive too. Hopefully, this does the trick. Got a lot to think about on this, but your guidance has been invaluable. Will keep you posted on how it goes, fingers crossed! Thanks again!