P0086 fault code: Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High

P0086 means “Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain.

Can I DIY?

Professional-only boundary. Do not power a second exhaust cam solenoid to hear it click.

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 P0086

Do not drive. A second exhaust-valve control solenoid circuit is high, so that actuator may stay energised and hold its exhaust cam off the intended angle while the first exhaust solenoid still tracks the map.

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

  • Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High: Registration number
  • Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High: Exact code P0086 and any companion codes
  • Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High: Whether the engine management light is steady or flashing
  • Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High: Whether P0080 was stored with P0086
P00xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0086 mean?

P0086 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 “Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0086 fail an MOT?

An illuminated malfunction indicator lamp is a Major MOT fail. Circuit-high on a second exhaust solenoid is not a separate MOT test.

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

P0086 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0086?

Do not drive. P0086 has no verified driving guidance. Do not drive until checked. A held-on second exhaust solenoid is still valve-timing electrics, not a harmless extra code.

Will P0086 fail my MOT?

An illuminated malfunction indicator lamp is a Major MOT fail. Circuit-high on a second exhaust solenoid is not a separate MOT test.

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.