P0076 fault code: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low

P0076 means “Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain.

Can I DIY?

Professional-only boundary. Read the code; do not swap intake solenoids between banks.

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 P0076

Do not drive. The intake-valve control solenoid circuit is reading low, so the solenoid may never energise. Intake cam timing or lift can remain parked at the default stop.

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

  • Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low: Registration number
  • Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low: Exact code P0076 and any companion codes
  • Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low: Whether the engine management light is steady or flashing
  • Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low: Whether the engine was down on power from cold or only after warm-up
P00xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0076 mean?

P0076 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 “Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0076 fail an MOT?

An illuminated malfunction indicator lamp is a Major MOT defect. Circuit-low intake-valve control is not separately listed in the MOT manual.

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

P0076 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0076?

Do not drive. We have no verified driving guidance for P0076. Treat as do not drive until checked. A low-side cam-solenoid circuit is still an engine-timing control fault, not a fuse you should keep resetting.

Will P0076 fail my MOT?

An illuminated malfunction indicator lamp is a Major MOT defect. Circuit-low intake-valve control is not separately listed in the MOT manual.

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.