FixMyCar explains what a pollen filter is and why it matters for your health and comfort.
Book a pollen filter replacement nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Wednesday May 14 2025
5 min read
Hay fever can be a nightmare for drivers. If you’ve ever found yourself travelling down the road with your eyes streaming and puffy, soundtracked by endless sneezing, you’ll know just how awful it can be.
But did you know that your car could be making the situation worse? It’s all down to one often-overlooked and rarely changed part: the pollen filter.
In a nutshell: A pollen filter is a type of cabin air filter that uses an activated carbon layer to absorb allergens and odours. It should be replaced every 15,000 miles or 12 months.
Air conditioning is a godsend during peak summer months. And since nobody wants dirty air to circulate around their car, a pollen filter is placed in the aircon unit to filter out dust, pollen, allergens, and other airborne contaminants.
As with any filter, it won’t last forever, and if you haven’t replaced yours in a while, it could actually be making your hay fever worse.
Over time, a pollen filter becomes dirty and clogged and will no longer filter the air, allowing the pollen and allergens to come directly into the car. Not only can a pollen-clogged filter exacerbate hay fever symptoms, but it can also impact airflow, meaning cooling and heating in the vehicle is affected too.
Matt Wrankmore
Head of FixMyCar's Garage Network
A pollen filter is a type of cabin air filter. While a regular cabin filter removes dust, mould spores, and other contaminants, a pollen filter is designed to capture pollen and other allergens as well. It does this using an activated carbon layer.
A pollen filter will typically last up to 15,000 miles. You should change it at this distance or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
The lifespan of a pollen filter can be affected by various factors, including:
Average temperature
Humidity
How often it is used
Quality of the aircon system
Quality of the filter
Levels of pollen, allergens and dirt
The good news is that a pollen or cabin air filter replacement is usually included in a full service, so if you service your car annually, you’re probably already feeling the benefits of a clean filter. However, a pollen filter replacement is not included in an interim service.
Learn about the differences between an interim and full service here.
Did you know…58% of garages that took part in our survey said that more than half of all the cars they work on in a one-month period have not been fully serviced in over a year.
My advice to hay fever-suffering drivers this year would be to get your car a full service if you have not had one within the last year. Not only will this help your hay fever symptoms whilst driving, but it’s also good for the health of your car to have it serviced regularly. However, if car maintenance costs are a concern, you can book your car in for a simple pollen filter replacement. Pollen filter parts are inexpensive but worth their weight in gold for drivers who suffer from hay fever.
Matt Wrankmore
Head of FixMyCar's Garage Network
It’s easy to tell when your pollen filter needs replacing if you know what signs to look for.
No temperature change when you adjust the aircon settings
Foggy windscreen
Weak or inconsistent airflow
Strong smells coming from the air vents
Noticed any of the above symptoms? If so, you probably need to book a filter replacement.
A clean pollen filter brings numerous benefits, and there are several important reasons why you should change yours - including some surprising ones.
Milder hay fever symptoms: A clean pollen filter will protect you from allergens and ease your symptoms.
Improved airflow: A clean filter allows air to flow freely, giving you the full benefits of your AC.
Prevent AC strain: Your aircon has to work harder when the filter needs changing, and parts could wear out prematurely.
More pleasant driving experience: A clean filter will eliminate musty odours and other smells in the cabin.
Avoid fines: If your clogged pollen filter makes your hay fever severe, you could be fined for careless driving.
Under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers must remain in control of their vehicle at all times and maintain due care and attention. If you have a sneezing fit due to hay fever and swerve or lose control, you could be fined up to £1,000 - more if it causes an accident.
FixMyCar can help you find a trusted local garage for a pollen filter replacement. Enter your reg to get started!
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.
