The EGR valve and its cooler block up with soot and oily deposits; the particulate filter cannot regenerate on short urban trips. The signs are reduced power, a warning light, and frequent regeneration. The software update after the diesel emissions affair made the EGR operate more often, which accelerated the phenomenon: the maker gave goodwill repairs in several cases.
What to check
- Ask what kind of journeys the car did: a daily short urban run is the worst for the filter
- With a code reader look at the stored faults (P0401/P0402, and P2002 for the filter)
- Ask whether it received the post emissions affair software update, and when