P0013 fault code: 'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit

P0013 means “'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain.

Can I DIY?

Professional-only boundary. Do not unplug the B-cam actuator to 'see if the circuit opens'.

Do not DIYReviewed page boundary
ToolsSpecialist equipment

This is the conservative boundary from the reviewed code record. This page has no frozen site-wide safety grade, so it does not publish a repair route.

What to tell the garage about P0013

Do not drive until checked. The actuator circuit for camshaft B is faulty as an electrical path, not as a measured over-advance or over-retard. The computer cannot trust the B-cam solenoid command.

Take these reviewed, code-specific details with you. They help the garage confirm the fault without turning this page into a repair procedure.

  • 'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit: Registration number
  • 'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit: Exact code P0013 and any companion codes from the same scan
  • 'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit: Whether the engine management light is steady or flashing
  • 'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit: Whether timing-over-retard codes are stored alongside P0013
P00xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0013 mean?

P0013 is a generic (SAE standard) powertrain code reported by your car’s engine control unit. It sits in the P00xx block, which covers fuel and air metering. The stored description is “'B' Camshaft Position - Actuator Circuit”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0013 fail an MOT?

MOT testers record a lit engine management light as Major until it stays off. P0013 is a B-cam actuator-circuit flag, not the over-retarded timing codes P0015 or P0025.

Before booking your test, check what usually fails on your car: see our MOT pass rates by make and model, built from 33.1 million DVSA tests.

Related guides

Car diagnostic test cost: compare the scopeUK booking marketplaces currently publish diagnostic averages of about £52–£65. Engine management light on: steady or flashing?A steady engine management light means the computer has stored a fault. Drive with caution and get the code read. A flashing light is different — stop when it is safe.
P0001Fuel Volume Regulator Control Circuit/Open P0002Fuel Volume Regulator Control Circuit Range/Performance P0003Fuel Volume Regulator Control Circuit Low P0004Fuel Volume Regulator Control Circuit High P0005Fuel Shutoff Valve 'A' Control Circuit/Open P0006Fuel Shutoff Valve 'A' Control Circuit Low P0007Fuel Shutoff Valve 'A' Control Circuit High P0008Engine Position System Performance

P0013 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0013?

Do not drive until checked. We have no verified driving guidance for P0013. Treat as do not drive until checked. An actuator-circuit fault is not a DIY solenoid-swap on a hot engine.

Will P0013 fail my MOT?

MOT testers record a lit engine management light as Major until it stays off. P0013 is a B-cam actuator-circuit flag, not the over-retarded timing codes P0015 or P0025.

Fault-code identifiers are standard diagnostic facts. Their explanations and diagnostic guidance on this site are original editorial summaries, not reproduced SAE wording. MOT defect rules reflect the DVSA MOT inspection manual (2026). This page is general guidance for UK drivers, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis.