Verso Diesel Particulate Filter Pressure

Sounds rough! My uncle had similar stuff happen on his old beater. Low pressure in the DPF could be loads of things. Is it trying to do a DPF regeneration? Maybe it's clogged. Or maybe the sensor is just wonky like you think. How many kilometers has it done?

It's done 169967 km. I haven't seen it try a DPF regeneration, and I haven't forced one because of the low pressure reading. Could a bad sensor stop regeneration, or would it just give a bad reading and let a damaging regeneration happen anyway?

Okay, that's getting up there in mileage. It's hard to say for sure without proper tools. Maybe the sensor is lying and it is trying to regen. Or maybe it's blocked solid. Or the sensor is just plain dead. Honestly, with those symptoms – smoke, smell, power loss – and that mileage, I'd bite the bullet and get it checked by someone who knows diesels. Could save you a bigger headache later.

I think you're right. A professional diagnosis is best. It was a defective exhaust back pressure sensor. The replacement cost 245€, including labor. Hopefully, this helps someone else.