Car Dashboard Warning Lights: What They Mean & What to Do (UK Guide)
Published 10 September 2026
A warning light has come on and you're not sure how worried to be. The first thing to check is its colour.
Red usually means stop as soon as it's safe. Amber usually means get it checked soon. Green or blue usually means a system is switched on and working.
That rule works on most cars. It isn't universal, though. Symbols and meanings vary between manufacturers and models, so your vehicle handbook always has the final say. This guide covers what the most common lights generally mean, how serious they are, and what to do next.
First: is it safe to keep driving?
If a red light comes on while you're driving:
Find somewhere safe to pull over as soon as you can. Don't brake sharply or stop somewhere dangerous.
On a motorway, aim for the next exit, an emergency area or the hard shoulder.
If you have to stop in a live lane, switch on your hazard lights and call 999.
Once you've stopped, check your handbook before deciding whether to drive on.
If an amber light comes on, you can usually carry on with care. Book the car in to be checked soon rather than ignoring the light.
If the car feels different in any way, stop and get help regardless of the light's colour. That includes heavy steering, weak brakes, loss of power, smoke, a burning smell or strange noises.
What the colours mean
Colour
General meaning
What to do
Red
A potentially serious problem or safety issue
Stop safely as soon as possible and check your handbook. Don't continue until you know it's safe.
Amber/yellow
Something needs attention or a system has a fault
Drive carefully and get it checked soon.
Green/blue
Information: a system is on and working (e.g. headlights, cruise control)
No action needed.
A quick note about start-up lights
When you first turn the ignition on, most of the dashboard lights up briefly. This is the car running a self-check, and it's normal. What matters is a light that stays on after the engine starts, or one that comes on while you're driving.
The most common dashboard warning lights explained
Engine warning light (check engine light)
What it looks likeAn outline of an engine, usually amber. In the UK it's often called the engine management light. In the US it's called the check engine light.
What it generally meansThe car's computer has found a fault somewhere in the engine or emissions system. The cause could be something minor, such as a sensor fault, or something that needs prompt attention.
How serious is it?Steady light: usually not an emergency, but get it checked soon. Flashing light: more urgent — it often points to a problem such as an engine misfire, which can damage other parts if you keep driving. Reduce your speed, avoid hard acceleration and follow your handbook. Many manufacturers advise stopping.
What to doTake the car to a garage that can read the fault code. If the car also feels rough, loses power or smells unusual, stop driving and get help.
Oil pressure warning light
What it looks likeAn old-fashioned oil can with a drip, usually red.
What it generally meansOil pressure has dropped too low. Oil protects the engine's moving parts, so this light is one to take seriously.
How serious is it?Serious. Driving with low oil pressure can cause severe engine damage.
What to doStop safely and switch off the engine. Wait a few minutes for the oil to settle, then check the level using the dipstick — your handbook shows where it is. If the level is low, top up with the oil your handbook specifies. If the light stays on after topping up, or the level was fine, don't drive. Call your breakdown provider or a garage.
CaveatSome cars also have a separate amber low oil level light. It's less urgent but still needs attention. Check your handbook for which one you have.
Battery/charging warning light
What it looks likeA battery with + and − symbols, usually red.
What it generally meansThe name is a bit misleading. This light usually signals a problem with the charging system — the part that keeps the battery topped up while you drive — rather than the battery itself.
How serious is it?Fairly serious. The car may be running only on stored battery power, and it could stop or fail to restart once that runs out.
What to doSwitch off anything electrical you don't need, such as heated seats and the radio. Follow your handbook's advice on whether to head to a garage or stop now — be aware the car might not restart if you switch it off. Keep an eye on your other gauges, especially the temperature. If other warning lights come on too, stop safely and call for assistance.
Brake warning light
What it looks likeUsually an exclamation mark inside a circle with brackets either side, in red. Some cars show the word "BRAKE" or a "P" for the parking brake.
What it generally meansOne of several things: the handbrake (parking brake) is still on, brake fluid is low, or there's a fault in the braking system.
How serious is it?If it isn't the handbrake, this is serious. Your brakes are your most important safety system.
What to doFirst, make sure the handbrake is fully released. If the light stays on, stop safely and don't continue driving until the car has been checked. If the brake pedal feels soft, spongy or different from normal, don't drive the car at all.
ABS warning light
What it looks likeThe letters "ABS" in a circle, usually amber.
What it generally meansThere's a fault with the anti-lock braking system, which stops your wheels locking up under heavy braking to help you keep steering control.
How serious is it?Your normal brakes will usually still work, but the anti-lock function may not. Hard braking, especially in wet or icy conditions, becomes riskier.
What to doDrive carefully, leave extra stopping distance and get it checked soon. If the ABS light and the red brake warning light come on together, treat it as a red warning: stop safely and seek help.
Tyre pressure warning light (TPMS)
What it looks likeA cross-section of a tyre with an exclamation mark inside, usually amber.
What it generally meansOne or more tyres may be under-inflated. On some cars, a light that flashes and then stays on means the tyre pressure monitoring system itself has a fault.
How serious is it?It depends. A slow loss of pressure is common. A sudden drop could be a puncture.
What to doIf the steering feels odd or the car pulls to one side, slow down and stop somewhere safe. Otherwise, check all four tyre pressures at the next safe opportunity — correct pressures are in your handbook and often on a sticker inside the driver's door or fuel flap. Look for visible damage or objects in the tyres. On many cars you'll need to reset the system after inflating them.
Coolant temperature warning light
What it looks likeA thermometer sitting in wavy lines of liquid, usually red. Some cars show a blue version, which simply means the engine is still cold.
What it generally meansRed means the engine is running too hot. Possible causes include low coolant, a leak or a cooling system fault.
How serious is it?Serious. An overheating engine can be badly damaged.
What to doStop safely and switch off the engine. Do not open the coolant cap while the engine is hot — the system is under pressure and can cause serious burns. Let the engine cool completely before checking the coolant level, following your handbook. If the level is fine, or the light comes back on, don't keep driving. Call for assistance.
Airbag warning light
What it looks likeA seated figure with a large circle in front of them. It can be red or amber, depending on the manufacturer.
What it generally meansThere's a fault with the airbag or seatbelt safety system (sometimes labelled SRS).
How serious is it?The car will usually still drive normally, but the airbags may not work in a collision.
What to doGet it checked promptly by a garage. It's an important safety fault even though you won't feel any difference while driving.
Traction control / stability control warning light
What it looks likeA car with wavy skid lines behind it, usually amber. You may also see a version with "OFF" beneath it.
What it generally meansFlashing while you drive: the system is working — it has detected wheelspin or a slide on a slippery surface. Ease off the accelerator and drive gently. Staying on steadily: the system may have been switched off, or there may be a fault.
What to doIf it stays on and you haven't switched the system off, drive carefully, especially in wet or icy weather, and get it checked soon.
Power steering warning light
What it looks likeA steering wheel, often with an exclamation mark. It can be red or amber.
What it generally meansThere's a fault with the power-assisted steering.
How serious is it?The steering may suddenly feel much heavier, which can be difficult to manage, especially at low speeds.
What to doIf the steering becomes heavy, slow down and stop somewhere safe. Check your handbook and get the car inspected before driving further.
Other lights you might see
Light
What it generally means
Glow plug (diesel, a coil shape, amber)
Normal to see briefly before starting a diesel. If it flashes or stays on while driving, there may be an engine fault.
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) (diesel, amber)
The exhaust filter is getting clogged. Your handbook will usually explain how to clear it, often with a longer drive at steady speed.
AdBlue (some diesels)
The AdBlue fluid is running low. Top it up — some cars won't restart if it runs out.
Low fuel (fuel pump, amber)
Time to refuel.
Seatbelt (red)
Someone isn't wearing their seatbelt.
Warning lights and your MOT
Several warning lights can lead to an MOT failure if they're lit, including the engine, ABS and airbag lights and, on many newer cars, the tyre pressure light. If a light has been on for a while, get it looked at before your MOT is due. It's usually easier and cheaper than dealing with a failed test.
Not sure which light you're looking at? Many symbols look alike, and it's hard to remember what they mean when one appears unexpectedly. If you're unsure, SafVia's warning light scanner lets you photograph your dashboard — it explains what the light is likely to mean and how urgent it is, in plain English. Always check your handbook as well, and stop if the car feels wrong.
Know Your Car. Before You Need To.
Understanding the light is only half the story. When one comes on, most drivers also find themselves asking: is this specific to my make and model? When was the car last serviced, and what was done? What should I tell the garage or breakdown service? Where's my breakdown provider's phone number? When is my MOT due, and could this affect it?
Your car's warning lights are only one part of the picture. SafVia helps you keep important information about your vehicle accessible when you need it — a glovebox in your pocket, built for people who aren't mechanics and don't want to become one.
With SafVia, you can:
Scan a warning light. Photograph your dashboard and get a plain-English explanation of what it means and how urgent it is.
Describe what's happening. Answer a few simple questions and get guidance on what the problem might be and whether it's likely to be safe to drive.
Translate what the garage said. Paste in a quote or explanation and get it in plain English, with an idea of how urgent it is.
Keep your service history in one place. Photograph garage receipts and SafVia reads them and builds your car's history automatically.
Store your car's key details. Registration, mileage, MOT, service, road tax and insurance renewal dates, plus your roadside assistance number, all ready when you need them.
SafVia doesn't replace a qualified mechanic, and it's clear about that. What it does is help you walk into a garage, or make that roadside call, informed rather than anxious.
Set up your car on SafVia for free →
It takes a couple of minutes, and there's no password to remember.
What do the colours of car dashboard warning lights mean?
Red generally indicates a serious problem, and you should stop as soon as it's safe. Amber or yellow means something needs checking soon. Green or blue lights are for information, showing that a system is on. Always check your vehicle handbook, as meanings vary between manufacturers.
Can I drive with the engine warning light on?
If the light is steady and the car drives normally, you can usually continue carefully, but get it checked soon. If the light is flashing, or the car is losing power or running roughly, it's more urgent. Follow your handbook and consider stopping.
What should I do if a red warning light comes on?
Pull over as soon as it's safe, switch off the engine if appropriate, and check your handbook. Don't continue driving until you know it's safe. If you're unsure, contact your breakdown provider.
Why did all my dashboard lights come on when I started the car?
This is normal. Most cars light up the dashboard briefly when the ignition is switched on as a self-check. The lights should go out within a few seconds of the engine starting.
Will a warning light cause an MOT failure?
It can. Lights such as the engine, ABS, airbag and, on many newer cars, tyre pressure warnings can result in an MOT failure if they're on. Have any warning light investigated before your test.