P0202 fault code: Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2 Medium severity

P0202 means “Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2” — a fuel & air metering — injector circuit fault in the powertrain. Avoid long journeys — raw fuel from a misfiring cylinder can overheat and destroy the catalytic converter. Typical UK repair cost: £60–£600 depending on the underlying cause.
MediumSeverity
P02xxFuel & Air Metering — Injector Circuit
£60–600Typical UK repair cost
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0202 mean?

P0202 is a generic (SAE standard) powertrain code reported by your car’s engine control unit. It sits in the P02xx block, which covers fuel & air metering — injector circuit. The stored description is “Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed, which is why a short diagnosis pays for itself before replacing components.

Symptoms you may notice

  • Misfire or stumble at idle
  • Fuel smell or visible smoke from the exhaust
  • Uneven running that clears at higher revs

Most common causes

  1. Injector wiring or connector fault (open or short circuit)
  2. Sticking or clogged injector nozzle
  3. Failing injector driver inside the ECU (less common)

How to diagnose P0202 yourself

  1. Identify the cylinder from the code number and swap that injector with a neighbour — if the code follows, the injector is at fault
  2. Check injector connector and wiring resistance against spec
  3. Run an injector cleaner additive through a full tank as a low-cost first step
Tools that read and clear P0202

A basic code reader confirms the fault; a full-system scanner shows the live data you need for the steps above.

Will P0202 fail an MOT?

A stored injector fault with the warning light on is a Major defect at MOT. Misfiring engines also commonly fail the emissions 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.

Typical UK repair costs

OutcomeTypical cost (parts + labour)
DIY: read code + basic checks£0 (scanner assumed)
Independent garage diagnosis£30–£60
Typical repair range for this fault£60–£600
Main dealer equivalent£90–£1080

Costs are indicative UK ranges for independent garages in 2026. Main dealers typically charge 40–80% more.

Diagnose the symptom, then price the repair

Car diagnostic test cost UK (2026): scan vs actual diagnosis£40–£100 is typical for an independent first assessment — but a code read is not the same as finding the cause.
P0200Injector Circuit/Open P0201Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 1 P0203Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 3 P0204Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 4 P0205Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 5 P0206Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 6 P0207Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 7 P0208Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 8

P0202 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0202?

Avoid long journeys — raw fuel from a misfiring cylinder can overheat and destroy the catalytic converter.

Will P0202 clear itself?

If the underlying fault stops occurring, most ECUs extinguish the light after around 40 healthy warm-up cycles — but the code stays stored as history. Fix the cause, clear it with a scanner, then confirm it stays away over a full drive cycle.

How much does it cost to fix P0202 in the UK?

Typically £60–£600 at an independent garage depending on which cause you confirm. Diagnosing it yourself with a scanner avoids a £30–£60 diagnostic fee and stops parts being replaced on guesswork.

Will P0202 fail my MOT?

A stored injector fault with the warning light on is a Major defect at MOT. Misfiring engines also commonly fail the emissions test.

Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 standard. 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.