<p>An automotive air filter supplies air to the vehicle occupants. The filter has a housing (5) with a plate-shaped insert (1) with two or more side-faces capped by an elastic seal (3) whose overall depth is greater than that of the inserted filter plate (2). The plate is enclosed at the outer margin top and bottom by the seal overlap. The seal profile is identical top and bottom. The filter element is a fan-fold filter paper. In an alternative embodiment the filter plate and seal are fabricated of a non-woven fleece fibre. During fabrication the seal curved sections (3) are slightly scored along the fold line to facilitate accurate folding.</p>
