P0163 fault code: O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

P0163 means “O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain.

Can I DIY?

Professional-only boundary. Scan P0163; this is not a filler-cap or tyre job.

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 P0163

Do not drive. Bank 2 sensor 3 is reporting voltage treated as too low. Where fitted, that third probe on the second bank looks lean or grounded to the computer — not a tyre-pressure or EVAP-cap issue.

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

  • O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage: Registration number
  • O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage: Exact code P0163 and any companion codes
  • O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage: Whether the engine management light is steady or flashing
  • O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage: Any EVAP or tyre-monitor lamps that are separate from this oxygen-circuit code
P01xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0163 mean?

P0163 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 “O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0163 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.

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

P0163 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0163?

Do not drive. We have no verified driving guidance for low voltage on bank-2 sensor 3. We will not borrow a milder neighbouring rating. Have it confirmed before you travel.

Will P0163 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.