Bank 2 upstream O2 sensor fault.
P0150 — also written PO15O, P 0150, 0150 — is the OBD-II code for o2 sensor circuit (bank 2 sensor 1). Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This is your pre-catalyst oxygen sensor on the 'second' side of the engine failing to report correctly. Across the UK, we mainly see this on V6 engines like the older Vauxhall 3.2s or Jag S-Types where one bank starts playing up.
P0150 is a sensors fault code, typically costing £80–£350 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0150 actually feels like to drive
- Engine light is on, but the car often drives normally at motorway speeds.
- Noticeable drop in MPG (roughly 10-15%) as the car runs 'rich' to stay safe.
- A slight 'hunting' or lumpy idle when sat at the lights once the engine is warm.
- Strong smell of unburnt petrol from the exhaust on cold starts.
- Engine feels slightly hesitant or 'flat' when pulling away from junctions.
What causes P0150?
- Sensor failure
- Wiring
UK vehicles that throw P0150 most often
- Vauxhall Insignia/Antara 2.8 V6 (A28NER) 2008-2017
- Jaguar S-Type / XF 3.0 V6 Petrol 2002-2012
- Range Rover Sport 4.2 / 4.4 V8 2005-2009
- BMW 3 Series (E90) 325i/330i N52/N53 engines
- Audi A6 2.4 / 3.2 FSI V6 2004-2011
- Volkswagen Golf R32 / Phaeton V6 2003-2009
How P0150 is fixed
- Sensor swap
The P0150 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see DIYers and 'parts-cannon' specialists wasting a fortune on new O2 sensors at the first sign of P0150, but on many V6 units, the code is actually triggered by a neglected exhaust manifold leak or a tiny crack in the flexi-pipe. If air is getting sucked in before the sensor, it throws the reading out and the ECU blames the sensor. I’ve also seen many Vauxhall Omegas and older Audis where the sensor was fine, but the wiring loom had rubbed through against the bulkhead or melted on the hot manifold. Always check the wires before binning a £120 Bosch sensor.
What a UK garage should charge for P0150
A basic diagnostic scan at an indie like mine will run you £50 to £80. For the part itself, a quality Bosch or NTK sensor usually costs between £90 and £140 from Euro Car Parts or GSF. Labour is the wild card; on an easy-access BMW it’s 30 mins (£40), but on a transverse V6 where the sensor is buried against the firewall, you could be looking at 2-3 hours (£150+). A main dealer will easily double these prices with £150/hr labour rates and 'Genuine' branded parts that are just boxed-up Bosch units.
P0150 repair cost in the UK
Most P0150 repairs land between £80–£350 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 P0150
Here’s the trick: ask the garage to perform a 'live data' check on the fuel trims while the engine is running. Don't just let them read the code and swap the part. If the sensor is truly dead, the voltage will stay flat (usually around 0.45V). If it’s jumping about, the sensor is likely working but reacting to a vacuum leak or an air bypass. Also, insisting on a 'smoke test' of the intake and exhaust can save you from buying a sensor you don't need. If you do need a part, don't let them fit a 'universal' sensor where they snip and join the wires—they're rubbish. Insist on a direct-fit Bosch, Denso, or NTK part.
Can you drive with P0150?
Drivable.
Urgency: medium.