Rearmost O2 sensor on bank 2 circuit fault.
P0162 — also written PO162, P 0162, 0162 — is the OBD-II code for o2 sensor circuit malfunction (bank 2, sensor 3). Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the ECU has lost its connection with the post-cat sensor on the second bank of cylinders—common on V6 Jaguars and Land Rovers where the loom gets battered by road salt.
P0162 is a emissions fault code, typically costing £90–£320 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0162 actually feels like to drive
- Engine management light (EML) staring you in the face on the dash.
- Slightly heavier fuel consumption, though not as bad as a front sensor failure.
- Failing the MOT on emissions (specifically the Lambda reading being out).
- A distinct smell of 'rotten eggs' from the exhaust if the heater circuit isn't working.
- Possible limp mode on some Euro 6 Jaguar models if the fault persists.
What causes P0162?
- Failed sensor
- Damaged loom under car
UK vehicles that throw P0162 most often
- Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Petrol (2008-2015)
- Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (Downstream sensors) 2007-2012
- Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 Di-D (some variants) 2010-2016
- Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (C6/C7) 2008-2014
- BMW 530i (E60/E61) N53 engine 2007-2010
How P0162 is fixed
- Replace sensor
- Repair loom
The P0162 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I’ve seen dozens of lads rush to swap the sensor the second they see this code, only to find the light pops back on before they've even finished their tea. On these bigger V6 engines, especially the older Range Rovers or Shoguns, the wiring for Sensor 3 is tucked right up against the chassis rail or the gearbox housing. I’ve lost count of how many times the real culprit was a stone-chip that nicked the wire or a heat shield that’s vibrated through the loom. Check the plugs for green crusty corrosion before you buy a new Bosch unit.
What a UK garage should charge for P0162
For a standard UK Indy garage, expect to pay £50 to £70 for the initial diagnostic plug-in. A decent quality NTK or Bosch sensor will set you back between £80 and £160 depending on the lead length. Labour is usually about an hour, maybe £60 to £90, unless the sensor is seized solid in the pipe—then we're talking oxy-acetylene torches and extra time. Total job usually sits between £190 and £320. Main dealers like JLR will easily double that for the same Bosch sensor in a fancy box.
P0162 repair cost in the UK
Most P0162 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 P0162
If your local garage tells you it's a 'catalyst failure' and quotes you a grand, walk away. P0162 is an electrical circuit code, not a performance code. Tell them you want a 'continuity and resistance test' on the heater circuit pins of the loom side first. If they won't do it, they're just parts-changing on your dime. Also, insist on a genuine or OE-brand sensor like Denso or NTK—cheap £20 eBay sensors are a nightmare and often have the wrong resistance, which just triggers a fresh P0135 or P0141 code.
Can you drive with P0162?
Yes.
Urgency: medium.