Method and cleaning device for cleaning and checking a particle filter

A method for cleaning and checking a particle filter of a motor vehicle, comprising:

• removing the particle filter from the motor vehicle;
• a first step in which soot particles that have collected in the particle filter are burnt off after the particle filter is removed from the motor vehicle;
• and
• a second step in which ash located in the particle filter is blown out using compressed air after the particle filter is removed from the motor vehicle,
• wherein prior to the first step
• the particle filter is subjected to a first air mass flow of a first magnitude and a first pressure is measured,
• subsequently the particle filter is subjected to a second air mass flow of a second magnitude and a second pressure is measured,
• a first pressure difference is formed between the first measured pressure and the second measured pressure,
• wherein subsequent to the second step
• the particle filter is subjected to a third air mass flow of the first magnitude and third pressure is measured,
• subsequently the particle filter is subjected to a fourth air mass flow of the second magnitude and a fourth pressure is measured,
• a second pressure difference is formed between the third measured pressure and the fourth measured pressure,
• wherein the first magnitude of the first and third air mass flows is different than the second magnitude of the second and fourth air mass flows,
• wherein whether the cleaning is successful is determined by reference to the first and second pressure differences.