The intake camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded.
P0011 — also written POO11, P 0011, 0011 — is the OBD-II code for camshaft position over-advanced (bank 1). Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means your intake cam isn't rotating back to where it should be, usually because the oil is too filthy to move the VVT phaser or the chain has stretched. We see this constantly on ageing BMW 1-Series and Vauxhall Insignias that have missed an oil service.
P0011 is a engine fault code, typically costing £100–£1500 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0011 actually feels like to drive
- Engine rattles like a 'bag of nails' for 3 seconds on a cold start.
- The car felt fine on the motorway, but now it stalls every time I stop at a roundabout.
- Noticeable 'flat spot' or hesitation when trying to overtake in 3rd gear.
- Lumpy, hunting idle that makes the gearstick vibrate.
- Fuel economy has tanked—getting about 10mpg less than usual.
What causes P0011?
- Stuck VVT solenoid
- Sludged engine oil
- Worn timing chain
- Failed cam phaser
UK vehicles that throw P0011 most often
- Vauxhall Astra J / Insignia 1.4 Turbo (A14NET) 2010-2015
- BMW 1 Series / 3 Series (N20 / N43 Engines) 2007-2014
- Mini Cooper / One (N12 / N16 Prince Engine) 2006-2013
- Peugeot 207 / 208 / 308 1.6 VTi (EP6 Engine) 2007-2015
- Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-T (H5F Engine) 2013-2018
- Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost (M1DA) 2012-2017
How P0011 is fixed
- Engine flush and oil change
- Replace VVT solenoid
- Replace cam phaser if needed
The P0011 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see people throwing a £30 sensor at this every week thinking it’s an electrical fault. It’s almost never the sensor itself. On the Vauxhall 1.4 turbos and the BMW N20s, the real culprit is usually a buildup of black sludge or a 'cheap' oil filter that’s collapsed internally, starving the VVT solenoid of flow. I’ve seen countless owners swap the solenoid for a no-name Chinese part from eBay, only for the code to return three days later because the actual cam phaser is physically jammed or the oil is as thick as treacle.
What a UK garage should charge for P0011
A simple diagnostic plug-in is £50-£80. If it’s just a gummed-up solenoid, a genuine Bosch or Pierburg replacement plus an oil flush and fresh 5W-30 usually runs £180-£250. However, if that chain has stretched or the phaser is shot, you're looking at a big job. A full timing chain kit on a BMW or Mini using quality FAI or SKF parts will land between £800 and £1,200 at an indie, or north of £1,800 at a main dealer who'll charge you £150 an hour just to look at it.
P0011 repair cost in the UK
Most P0011 repairs land between £100–£1500 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0011
Ask the garage for an 'oil pressure test at temperature' before you let them quote for a new timing chain. If the pressure is low, a new chain won't fix P0011; the VVT system needs that hydraulic pressure to work. Also, insist they check the solenoid screens for metal fragments. If they find 'glitter' in the solenoid filters, your engine is eating its own bearings, and you’re wasting your money on a phaser. If it’s just sludge, a decent Forté engine flush and a switch to a high-quality Shell or Castrol oil can sometimes 'wake up' a lazy phaser without a £1,000 bill.
Can you drive with P0011?
Drive carefully — risk of timing chain damage.
Urgency: high.