Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate filter for an internal combustion engine using a particulate filter model. A plurality of input quantities is received, an expected pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the particulate filter is determined for an intact particulate filter using the particulate filter model based on the received input parameters, at least one expected pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the particulate filter is determined for at least one failure of the particulate filter, a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the particulate filter is measured, the measured pressure difference is compared with the expected pressure difference for the intact particulate filter and the at least one expected pressure difference for the at least one failure of the particulate filter, and at least one diagnostic value for an intact particulate filter or a defective particulate filter is determined.