P0197 fault code: Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low

P0197 means “Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low” — a fuel and air metering fault in the powertrain.

Can I DIY?

Professional-only boundary. Dipstick only; a low oil-temperature circuit is not a home electrical job.

Do not DIYReviewed page boundary

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 P0197

Do not drive. The oil temperature sensor is reading electrically low. The computer may think the oil is colder than it is, which can delay or distort warm-up control. This is not a fuel-temperature low code.

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

  • Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low: Number plate
  • Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low: Exact code P0197
  • Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low: Cold dipstick level and whether the engine was slow to warm
P01xxFuel and air metering
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0197 mean?

P0197 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 “Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0197 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.
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P0197 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0197?

Do not drive. P0197 has no verified driving guidance. Do not drive until a garage traces the low oil-temp circuit. A low electrical reading is not proof the oil is actually cold.

Will P0197 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.