Emissions control: EGR, DPF, catalytic converter and AdBlueGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Monitor
Code P0410: secondary air system: fault
P0410 means: secondary air injection system: malfunction.[1][2][3] The ECU has commanded air to be injected into the exhaust after a cold start and does not see the expected reaction on the oxygen sensor. The secondary air system (a pump, valves and pipes) reduces emissions while the catalytic converter is still cold.[1][2]
What code P0410 means
The ECU has commanded air to be injected into the exhaust after a cold start and does not see the expected reaction on the oxygen sensor. The secondary air system (a pump, valves and pipes) reduces emissions while the catalytic converter is still cold.[1][2]
According to Mechanic Base, the code is set when the pump's passive test fails or is inconclusive and, after the active test, the sensor does not raise its reading within three seconds. The code points to the system, not a specific part.[2]
It is a generic code (P0), with the same definition on all makes; the secondary air system is fitted mainly on some petrol engines.[3][4]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Secondary Air Injection System[1][2][3]
Causes of P0410
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on.[1][2]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Higher emissions on a cold start; the car may fail the MOT emissions test.[1][2]Pollution control faulty: faults that cause it
- Air pump noise on a cold start, or absence of the usual noise.[1][2]
- Poorer fuel economy or hesitation when accelerating in some cases.[2]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P0410
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read the accompanying codes (P0411, P0412 to P0415), which narrow down whether the fault is with flow or with the valves.[3]
- 2With the engine cold, listen for the pump running at start-up and activate it with the diagnostic tool.[1]
- 3Measure the pump's current draw and check its fuse and relay.[1][2]
- 4Check that air reaches the pump and inspect the pipes and check valves for rust or blockages.[1][2]
- 5Check the solenoids and the oxygen sensor before replacing the pump.[1][2]
Can I keep driving with P0410?
Monitor
The sources see it as not very serious for driving: the car moves normally, but with the light on it emits more pollutants and will not pass an emissions inspection, so it should be repaired.[1][2][3]
Documented faults related to P0410
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Engine sensors: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
What does code P0410 mean?
The secondary air injection system is not working as the ECU expects during a cold start.[1][2]
Can I drive with P0410?
Normally yes, because the car usually runs normally, but it emits more pollutants and may fail the emissions test. It should be repaired.[1][2]
What usually fails?
Most often it is the secondary air pump, and also the check valves, the pipes or the control valve.[1][2]
How much does it cost to fix?
Carista gives a very wide range, from £200 to £1,200, depending on the part that fails; it depends on whether a valve or the pump is replaced. There is no reliable figure in euros for Spain.[1]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0410?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[5]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- P0410: Secondary air injection systemCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- P0410 Code – Meaning, Causes & How to fix itMechanic Base · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- P0410 – Secondary Air Injection SystemAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- p0410 DTC: Secondary Air Injection SystemDTCSearch · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish