Faults by symptom: what is wrong with your car
Choose what you notice — a warning light, a noise, smoke, a smell — and we will tell you which known faults cause it, in which engines and what to do in the meantime.
Do you already know which part is failing? Faults by part · Recalls
Stop the car as soon as possible if you notice…
What the urgency means
- Urgency: As soon as possible
- Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so: driving on can make the fault much worse or be dangerous.
- Urgency: Garage soon
- You can drive carefully, but book a garage appointment as soon as possible: it usually gets worse if left.
- Urgency: Monitor
- It is not usually urgent. Keep an eye on whether it gets worse and mention it at your next service.
Warning lights and alerts
- Oil pressure warning light onUrgency: As soon as possible22 faults cause it in 20 engines
- Engine fault warning light (check engine)Urgency: Garage soon189 faults cause it in 110 engines
- "Pollution control system faulty" messageUrgency: Garage soon14 faults cause it in 11 engines
- Particulate filter warning light (DPF)Urgency: Garage soon35 faults cause it in 34 engines
- AdBlue system warningUrgency: Garage soon16 faults cause it in 16 engines
- Glow plug warning light flashingUrgency: Garage soon2 faults cause it in 2 engines
- Overheating or temperature warning lightUrgency: As soon as possible52 faults cause it in 46 engines
- Electric parking brake warningUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- ABS or ESP warning light onUrgency: Garage soon1 fault causes it
- Tyre pressure warning lightUrgency: Monitor0 faults cause it
- Airbag warning light onUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Hybrid system fault warning light or messageUrgency: Garage soon10 faults cause it in 7 engines
- Seatbelt fault warning light or messageUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Battery warning light onUrgency: As soon as possible1 fault causes it
- Power steering warning light onUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- EPC warning light onUrgency: Garage soon1 fault causes it
- ESP warning light on or flashingUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Yellow triangle warning light with exclamation markUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Brake or handbrake warning light onUrgency: As soon as possible0 faults cause it
- Immobiliser warning light (key or padlock) onUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Spanner warning light onUrgency: Monitor0 faults cause it
- Oil level warning light on (yellow)Urgency: Garage soon1 fault causes it
- Coolant warning light on (low level or temperature)Urgency: As soon as possible2 faults cause it in 2 engines
- Brake pad warning light onUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
Noises
- Metallic timing noise on start-upUrgency: Garage soon64 faults cause it in 61 engines
- Deep metallic engine knockUrgency: As soon as possible37 faults cause it in 34 engines
- Turbo whistle or siren noiseUrgency: Garage soon45 faults cause it in 45 engines
- Gearbox or clutch noise or rattleUrgency: Monitor21 faults cause it in 20 engines
- Metallic hum or whine from the engine that rises with revsUrgency: Garage soon2 faults cause it in 2 engines
- Noise when acceleratingUrgency: Garage soon15 faults cause it in 15 engines
- Noise when starting the car (squeal, knock or clicking)Urgency: Garage soon40 faults cause it in 39 engines
Smoke
Behaviour
- Sudden loss of power (limp mode)Urgency: Garage soon66 faults cause it in 56 engines
- Gradual loss of powerUrgency: Monitor193 faults cause it in 116 engines
- Jerking or juddering when acceleratingUrgency: Garage soon89 faults cause it in 73 engines
- Abnormal vibrations or unstable idleUrgency: Monitor59 faults cause it in 49 engines
- Engine stalls or cuts out while drivingUrgency: As soon as possible76 faults cause it in 59 engines
- Hard brake pedal or loss of brake assistanceUrgency: As soon as possible5 faults cause it in 4 engines
- Automatic emergency braking activates for no reasonUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
Consumption and fluid levels
- Excessive oil consumptionUrgency: Garage soon69 faults cause it in 61 engines
- Oil level risingUrgency: Garage soon11 faults cause it in 11 engines
- Increase in fuel consumptionUrgency: Monitor31 faults cause it in 26 engines
- Coolant loss with no visible leakUrgency: Garage soon59 faults cause it in 48 engines
Leaks
Starting
Gearbox and clutch
- Automatic gearbox fault warningUrgency: Garage soon25 faults cause it in 16 engines
- Judder when pulling away or at low speed (automatic gearbox)Urgency: Garage soon22 faults cause it in 15 engines
- Gearbox will not select gears or drops into neutralUrgency: As soon as possible21 faults cause it in 18 engines
- Clutch slippingUrgency: Garage soon31 faults cause it in 26 engines
- Clutch pedal heavy, juddering or not returningUrgency: Garage soon9 faults cause it in 9 engines
- Jerking or vibration from the CVT automatic gearboxUrgency: Garage soon3 faults cause it in 3 engines
Smells
Suspension, steering, brakes and tyres
- Knocks or creaks from the suspension over bumpsUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Creaking or clicking when turning the steering wheelUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Car pulls to one side or steering wheel is not straightUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Vibration in the steering wheel or pedal when brakingUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Squealing or metallic grinding when brakingUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Uneven tyre wearUrgency: Monitor0 faults cause it
- Heavy steering or power steering warningUrgency: Garage soon2 faults cause it in 2 engines
- Abnormal play in the steering or noises from the front axleUrgency: As soon as possible0 faults cause it
- Wheel bearing humUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Steering wheel vibrates or shakes when drivingUrgency: Garage soon2 faults cause it in 2 engines
Electrics and electronics
- Battery goes flat while the car is parkedUrgency: Monitor6 faults cause it in 6 engines
- Screen or infotainment system freezes or restartsUrgency: Monitor0 faults cause it
- Intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faultsUrgency: Monitor4 faults cause it in 4 engines
- Electric windows or central locking not respondingUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Electric charging failure or interruptionUrgency: Garage soon1 fault causes it
Climate control, bodywork and interior
- Air conditioning not coolingUrgency: Monitor0 faults cause it
- Water getting into the cabin or bootUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Rust or corrosion on the bodywork or undersideUrgency: Monitor0 faults cause it
- Windscreen will not demist or takes a long time to clearUrgency: Garage soon0 faults cause it
- Car heater not heatingUrgency: Garage soon1 fault causes it
Do you already know which engine your car has? Go straight to its faults from the engine index or search for your car by make and model.