Know your car
Search common UK dashboard warning lights by name, colour or symbol — oil can, engine, ABS, airbag, TPMS, DPF, AdBlue and more. Red usually means stop when safe; amber means investigate soon. Your handbook is always the final word — icons vary by brand.
18 lights · icons from Wikimedia Commons dashboard tell-tales / ISO 7000
Engine oil pressure is dangerously low. Continuing can destroy the engine in minutes.
What to do: Pull over safely, switch off, check level if safe. Do not drive — arrange recovery.
Also called: oil can, oil pressure, low oil pressure
Coolant is too hot or level is critically low.
What to do: Stop when safe, let it cool fully before opening the cap. Top up only with correct coolant if you know how — otherwise recover.
Also called: thermometer, temperature, overheat
Brake fluid may be low, a circuit failed, or the parking brake is on.
What to do: If the parking brake is fully off and the light stays on, do not drive — braking may be compromised.
Also called: brake, !, handbrake, P
Alternator or charging circuit issue — the car is running on battery alone.
What to do: Reduce electrical load, drive to a safe place soon, then diagnose. Expect a sudden shutdown.
Also called: battery, ALT, charge
Supplemental restraint system fault — airbags or pretensioners may not fire.
What to do: Book diagnosis soon. Do not ignore before MOT — illuminated SRS lamps often fail.
Also called: airbag, SRS
Anti-lock braking may be disabled. Normal braking usually still works.
What to do: Drive carefully, especially in wet weather, and get a scan. Can fail MOT if lit.
Also called: ABS
Emissions or engine control fault stored. Flashing often means misfire.
What to do: Steady: book a scan soon. Flashing: stop when safe — catalytic converter risk.
Also called: engine, check engine, MIL, EML
One or more tyres are under-inflated or a sensor has failed.
What to do: Check cold pressures against the door sticker. Inspect for punctures before resetting.
Also called: tyre, TPMS, pressure
Stability system fault or system switched off.
What to do: If you did not switch it off, get diagnosis. Lit ESC lamps can fail MOT.
Also called: ESC, ESP, ASR, traction, car skid
DPF is loading with soot or cannot regenerate.
What to do: If power is normal, try a steady longer run per handbook. If limp mode — garage diagnostics.
Also called: DPF, filter, exhaust filter
AdBlue level low or SCR system fault. Cars can refuse to restart when empty.
What to do: Refill with proper AdBlue soon. Persistent light after fill = diagnostics.
Also called: AdBlue, urea, SCR
Normal wait-to-start on many diesels; stays on = fault.
What to do: Wait for it to extinguish before cranking. If it stays on while driving, scan soon.
Also called: glow, coil, preheat
Screenwash reservoir is low.
What to do: Top up with proper screenwash — required for MOT visibility.
Also called: washer, spray
Loose fuel cap or evaporative emissions leak on some cars.
What to do: Refit the cap until it clicks. If light remains after a few trips, get a scan.
Also called: fuel cap, EVAP
High-voltage or hybrid drive fault. Symbols vary widely by brand.
What to do: Follow handbook. Do not open orange-cabled areas. Recover if red HV warning.
Also called: hybrid, EV, high voltage, ready
Camera blocked, misaligned or system unavailable.
What to do: Clean windscreen in front of the camera. Persistent faults need calibration.
Also called: lane, camera, ADAS
Main beam headlights are on.
What to do: Dip for oncoming traffic. Not a fault.
Also called: main beam, high beam
Exterior sidelights are on.
What to do: Informational only.
Also called: sidelights, parking lights
Icon artwork mostly from Wikimedia Commons dashboard tell-tales / ISO 7000. Symbols still vary slightly by manufacturer — confirm in your handbook.
Colour is the first filter: red = safety-critical or stop soon; amber/yellow = fault that needs attention; green/blue usually confirm a system is on (main beam, sidelights).
Photograph the exact symbol and any message. That helps a garage or breakdown operator more than “some light came on”.
Illuminated ABS, airbag, ESC or brake lamps can fail an MOT even if the car still drives. Do not clear codes repeatedly without fixing the cause.
Low oil pressure — stop safely and switch off. Driving on can seize the engine. Recover, then check level and our oil lookup before any DIY top-up.
A stored engine or emissions fault. Steady amber: scan soon if the car feels normal. Flashing: stop when safe — catalytic converter risk.
Use search above or the FAQ list below — each icon has a plain-English meaning and what to do next.
MotorTools calculators give planning estimates only. Confirm figures against GOV.UK, your V5C, handbook or a qualified garage before buying, renewing tax or carrying out work.