DPF efficiency below threshold on BMW diesels — the classic N47/N57 'short trip' fault. Almost never the DPF itself first time round.
BMW P2002 — DPF efficiency below threshold on BMW diesels — the classic N47/N57 'short trip' fault. Almost never the DPF itself first time round. Typical UK independent garage cost: £220–£1800.
What actually causes P2002 on a BMW
BMW 2.0d and 3.0d engines accumulate soot when used for short urban journeys. A blocked DPF stores P2002 alongside P244A/P244B. On the N47 specifically, EGR cooler internal leaks dump coolant into the DPF and finish it off prematurely — always pressure-test the EGR cooler before fitting a new DPF.
BMW engines that log P2002
- N47 2.0d (E90 320d, F30 320d, E87 120d, F20 120d, X1, X3)
- N57 3.0d (E90 330d, F10 530d, X5, X6)
- B47 2.0d (F-series 2014+)
How we diagnose P2002 on a BMW
- Read DPF soot mass and ash mass via INPA / ISTA — over 40g ash means end-of-life regardless of regen
- Pressure-test the EGR cooler — internal coolant weep is the N47 killer
- Forced regen on a long motorway run if soot < 28g and ash low
- Ultrasonic DPF clean (£180–£280) as a last resort before full replacement
The common misdiagnosis to avoid
A main dealer will quote £1,800–£2,400 for a new DPF without checking EGR cooler integrity. Fitting a new DPF behind a leaking EGR cooler kills the new DPF inside 5,000 miles.
BMW P2002 repair cost in the UK
Expect £220–£1800 including parts and labour at an independent garage. Main-dealer quotes on BMW are usually higher for the same job, and the spread exists because the cheap cause and the expensive cause throw the same code — pay for the diagnosis before you pay for parts.
Bob's workshop tip
If you do mostly short trips on an N47, plan a 30-minute 70mph motorway blast every 2 weeks — costs nothing and avoids a £1,500 DPF.
Codes usually seen alongside P2002 on BMW
- P244A
- P244B
- P2453
- P2463
Symptoms drivers report with P2002
- The 'Engine Service Now' message on the dash, often without a limp mode initially.
- Thick black soot deposits around the inside of the tailpipe (it should be clean enough to eat off).
- A heavy smell of diesel fumes inside the cabin when sitting at traffic lights.
- The car seems to perform fine but the 'DPF Full' warning keeps popping up every 50 miles.
- Excessive cooling fan noise because the car is constantly trying (and failing) to start a regeneration.
Repairs that clear P2002
- Static regen on scan tool
- Replace pressure sensor
- Injector leak-off test
- Chemical DPF clean, replace if blocked >80%
For the generic, all-makes explanation of this code — meaning, every known cause and UK cost bands — see our P2002 guide.