The yellow symbol that looks like a horseshoe or coil spring with an exclamation mark in it is the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning — usually a tyre that's low on pressure. If your car has air suspension, an actual coil-spring icon usually means a suspension fault. They look similar but mean very different things.
This one trips people up constantly. Half the cars I see with "this weird light came on" have got a 2psi-low tyre.
My tyre pressures are fine but the TPMS light is still on — why? — Most likely a dead sensor battery (direct systems) or the system needs resetting after a tyre change. Indirect systems need re-calibrating after any pressure adjustment via the menu in the dash.
Will TPMS light fail my MOT? — Yes, since 2012 — an active TPMS warning on cars first used after January 2012 is an MOT failure.
How long do TPMS sensors last? — 5-10 years typically. The batteries aren't replaceable — the whole sensor is changed. Expect to be replacing them around the time the car is 7-8 years old.
Bob's Mechanical Repairs — independent family-run garage in Birnam, Dunkeld, Perthshire. Call 01350 727 276 or email [email protected].