P0097 fault code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low

P0097 means “Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain.

Can I DIY?

Professional-only boundary. Confirm P0097 only; chasing a low IAT-2 circuit needs a technician.

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 P0097

Do not drive. Intake air temperature sensor 2 is sitting too low on its circuit, as if the signal were pulled toward earth or the sensor were reporting an implausible cold.

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

  • Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low: Registration number
  • Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low: Exact code P0097 and whether it is current or pending
  • Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low: Outside temperature that day, if you know it
  • Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low: Any recent work on the airbox, intercooler pipe, or engine cover
P00xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0097 mean?

P0097 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 Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0097 fail an MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT until repaired and the lamp stays off. P0097 records a low intake-air temperature sensor 2 circuit, not a winter-weather MOT exemption.

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.
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P0097 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0097?

Do not drive. We have no verified driving guidance for P0097 — treat as do not drive until checked. A low circuit is an electrical reading, not proof the air in the pipe is actually freezing.

Will P0097 fail my MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT until repaired and the lamp stays off. P0097 records a low intake-air temperature sensor 2 circuit, not a winter-weather MOT exemption.

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.