Rear O2 sensor bank 2 not switching.
P0160 — also written PO16O, P 0160, 0160 — is the OBD-II code for o2 sensor circuit no activity (bank 2, sensor 2). Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This is your Bank 2 downstream sensor—the one after the cat on the driver's side of a V-engine—basically going radio silent and failing to tell the ECU what's happening. On Range Rovers and high-mileage Audis, it's usually just the sensor giving up the ghost after years of heat cycles.
P0160 is a emissions fault code, typically costing £90–£320 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0160 actually feels like to drive
- Engine Management Light (EML) staring you in the face on the dash.
- Fuel economy taking a slight dip, maybe 3-5 mpg less than usual.
- Failed MOT on emissions because the secondary monitor won't 'set'.
- A faint smell of unburnt fuel or 'rotten eggs' from the tailpipe.
- The car feels slightly 'heavy' or less responsive when cruising on the A9.
What causes P0160?
- Failed sensor
- Heater open circuit
- Wiring fault
UK vehicles that throw P0160 most often
- Range Rover Sport 4.2 / 5.0 V8 (2005-2013)
- Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (C6/C7 models) 2008-2015
- Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Petrol (2008-2012)
- BMW 3 Series 330i/335i (E90/E92) N52/N54 engines
- Vauxhall Omega 2.6 / 3.2 V6 (Getting rare, but notorious for this)
- Mercedes-Benz E350 V6 (W212) 2009-2013
How P0160 is fixed
- Replace sensor
The P0160 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen brand-new, cheap universal sensors from eBay spliced into the loom to 'save money' on this code. They almost never work because the resistance values are wrong for the ECU. People also jump straight to replacing the catalytic converter thinking it's not 'cleaning' the air, but P0160 is an electrical silence issue. It’s usually a broken signal wire near the plug or the internal heater element in the sensor has snapped due to road vibration and salt.
What a UK garage should charge for P0160
You’re looking at about £50 to £80 for a proper diagnostic plug-in to confirm it’s not a wiring break. A quality Bosch or Denso sensor will set you back between £80 and £160 depending on the car. Labour is usually an hour—say £60 to £90—unless the sensor is seized solid in the exhaust, which happens a lot in Scotland with the road salt. Total bill usually lands between £190 and £320. Main dealers will easily double that for the exact same part in a branded box.
P0160 repair cost in the UK
Most P0160 repairs land between £90–£320 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 P0160
If you're bringing this to me, don't just ask for a 'new sensor'. Insist the lad on the tools does a 'live data sweep' and a heater circuit continuity test first. Sometimes it's just a blown fuse or a corroded connector pin—especially on Jaguars where the loom is exposed to the elements. If it is the sensor, don't let them fit a 'white box' cheapie. Insist on Bosch, NTK, or Denso. If you fit a cheap one, the EML light will be back on before you’ve even reached the MOT station.
Can you drive with P0160?
Yes.
Urgency: medium.