P0113 fault code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High

Last updated · OBDCode UK editorial

Can I drive with P0113? — Drive with care

Drive with care while P0113 is stored. A steady engine management light still needs a garage before MOT. Stop if the engine overheats, will not start, or the lamp begins to flash.

P0113 means “Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain. Drive with care. Intake-air temperature sensor 1 is reading electrically high — often an open circuit or loose plug. The computer may substitute a temperature, so cold running can feel clumsy. Not a crash-safety warning.

Can I DIY?

Basic checks may be suitable. We do not publish DIY repair or strip-down steps for this code on this page. Read codes and observe only; leave the repair to a qualified garage.

Basic checks may be suitableDIY boundary
ToolsBasic tools only — for example a household socket set, tyre gauge, or a consumer OBD reader.

Basic observation or simple checks may be suitable for a careful DIY driver with household tools, on firm level ground.

Hot systems

Never open a hot coolant cap — pressure can scald you. Exhaust and catalytic converter get hot enough to burn and ignite debris. Stay clear of electric fans; they can run after shut-off.

P01xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0113 mean?

P0113 is a generic (SAE standard) powertrain code reported by your car’s engine control unit. It sits in the P01xx block, which covers fuel and air metering. The stored description is “Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

How to diagnose P0113 yourself

  1. Confirm P0113 and freeze-frame: Plug in an OBD reader with the ignition on, engine preferably off for the first pass. Record P0113 as current or pending, freeze-frame coolant and intake-air temperatures if shown, and any other codes. Stop if: You also have a flashing lamp, an overheat warning, or a no-start.
    Generic driver footwell showing a broad OBD-II socket search zone and the usual 16-pin socket shape.
    Park safely and switch off before locating the socket. Its position varies, so use the vehicle handbook and never force or dismantle trim.
  2. Check sensor 1 connector, engine off: Engine cold and off. Find intake-air temperature sensor 1 in the intake tract (sometimes sharing a housing with an air-flow meter). Confirm the connector is clicked home and the loom is not cut, pinched, or soaked. Do not probe pins or unplug it to 'test'. Stop if: The connector is under the car, behind a manifold you would have to remove, or next to orange high-voltage cables.
  3. Compare live intake-air temperature: On a cold engine in open air, read live intake-air temperature sensor 1. Compare it roughly with the outdoor air — it should not look like a boiling figure on a cold morning. We do not publish a degrees-C pass/fail table. Stop if: The reading is unavailable, the engine is already hot, or you would need to idle in a closed garage to see it.

Will P0113 fail an MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT (automatic fail) until the fault is repaired and the light stays off.

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.

What the MOT data says

No MOT certificate item corresponds to this code; MOT outcome data cannot be shown.

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.
P0100Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit P0101Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance P0102Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Low Input P0103Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit High Input P0104Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Intermittent P0105Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit P0106Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance P0107Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Low Input

P0113 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0113?

Drive with care. Drive with care while P0113 is stored. A steady engine management light still needs a garage before MOT. Stop if the engine overheats, will not start, or the lamp begins to flash.

Can I fix P0113 myself?

Basic checks may be suitable. We do not publish DIY repair or strip-down steps for this code on this page. Read codes and observe only; leave the repair to a qualified garage. Basic tools only — for example a household socket set, tyre gauge, or a consumer OBD reader.

Will P0113 fail my MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT (automatic fail) until the fault is repaired and the light stays off.

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.