Why is my oil warning light on?
A red oil warning light means low oil pressure — not necessarily low oil level. This is a serious warning. Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and turn off the engine. Driving with low oil pressure can cause catastrophic engine damage within minutes. Check your oil level first; if it is fine, the issue may be the oil pump, oil pressure sensor, or a blocked oil pickup.
Likely causes
Low oil level
Check the dipstick first — top up if low
Faulty oil pressure sensor
Can trigger the light even when oil pressure is fine
Oil pump failure
Less common but serious — stop driving immediately
Blocked oil pickup strainer
Usually affects high-mileage engines with infrequent oil changes
Repairs you may need
Typical cost range: £30–£400 — An oil top-up costs very little. If the pump or sensor needs replacing, costs range from £80–400.
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