P0500 fault code: Vehicle Speed Sensor 'A'

Last updated · OBDCode UK editorial

Can I drive with P0500? — Drive with care

Drive with care. A missing speed signal can affect the speedometer or ABS. Stop if the speedometer is dead, ABS lamps stay on, or the car feels unsafe.

P0500 means “Vehicle Speed Sensor 'A'” — a vehicle speed and idle control fault in the powertrain. Drive with care. The engine computer is not getting a valid road-speed signal from vehicle speed sensor A. The speedometer, ABS or gearbox behaviour can be wrong. Drive only with care until a garage confirms it is safe.

Can I DIY?

Caution — conditions apply. We do not publish DIY repair or strip-down steps for this code on this page.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.

Caution — conditions applyDIY boundary
ToolsBasic tools only — for example a household socket set, tyre gauge, or a consumer OBD reader.

Some checks may be possible for a careful DIY driver with the right tools and a safe place to work. Stop if anything feels beyond your skill or kit.

P05xxVehicle speed and idle control
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0500 mean?

P0500 is a generic (SAE standard) powertrain code reported by your car’s engine control unit. It sits in the P05xx block, which covers vehicle speed and idle control. The stored description is “Vehicle Speed Sensor 'A'”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

How to diagnose P0500 yourself

  1. Confirm P0500 and freeze-frame: With the car stationary, scan the OBD-II port. Record whether P0500 is current or pending, freeze-frame vehicle speed if shown, and any ABS or gearbox companion codes. Stop if: ABS, brake, or airbag lamps are on together, or you are not confident the car is safe to move.
    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. Watch the speedometer on a short drive: If it is legal and you feel safe, drive briefly on a quiet road and watch whether the speedometer needle or digital readout moves. Do not test on a motorway. Stop if: The speedometer stays at zero while you are moving, ABS lamps come on, or the car behaves unpredictably.
  3. Note ABS and traction lamps: With ignition on, check whether ABS, traction-control, or ESC lamps illuminate and then go out as designed, or stay on with the engine management light. Stop if: ABS or brake warning lamps stay on, or the brake pedal feels unusual.

Will P0500 fail an MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT. A speedometer that does not work is separately a Major defect where a speedometer is required.

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.
P0501Vehicle Speed Sensor 'A' Range/Performance P0502Vehicle Speed Sensor 'A' Circuit Low Input P0503Vehicle Speed Sensor 'A' Intermittent/Erratic/High P0504Brake Switch 'A'/'B' Correlation P0505Idle Air Control System P0506Idle Air Control System RPM Lower Than Expected P0507Idle Air Control System RPM Higher Than Expected P0508Idle Air Control System Circuit Low

P0500 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0500?

Drive with care. Drive with care. A missing speed signal can affect the speedometer or ABS. Stop if the speedometer is dead, ABS lamps stay on, or the car feels unsafe.

Can I fix P0500 myself?

Caution — conditions apply. 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 P0500 fail my MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT. A speedometer that does not work is separately a Major defect where a speedometer is required.

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.