Ignition coil 1 electrical fault.
P0351 — also written PO351, P 0351, 0351 — is the OBD-II code for ignition coil 'a' primary/secondary circuit. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This is a 'no-spark' cry for help from cylinder one, usually seen on thirsty Astra petrols and older Fiesta Zetecs that have been washed with a jet wash.
P0351 is a ignition fault code, typically costing £50–£350 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0351 actually feels like to drive
- Engine 'hunting' and shaking like a wet dog at traffic lights.
- Loss of power that feels like you're suddenly towing a heavy caravan.
- The 'Check Engine' light flashing orange—that’s a 'stop now' warning to save your catalytic converter.
- The car sounds like a Subaru (thumping/chugging) because it's running on three cylinders.
- Strong smell of unburnt petrol from the exhaust pipe.
What causes P0351?
- Coil failure
- Wiring
- Plug fouled
UK vehicles that throw P0351 most often
- Vauxhall Astra J 1.4 Turbo (A14NET) 2010-2015
- Ford Fiesta 1.25 / 1.4 Zetec (Sigma) 2008-2017
- Volkswagen Golf MK6 1.4 TSI (CAXA) 2008-2012
- Vauxhall Corsa D 1.2 / 1.4 (A12XER) 2006-2014
- Peugeot 207 1.4 VTi (EP3) 2007-2013
- BMW 3 Series (E90) 318i/320i (N43 engine) 2007-2011
How P0351 is fixed
- Replace coil
- Replace plug
- Wiring repair
The P0351 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see it every week: a customer arrives with a fancy box and a brand-new coil pack they bought online for twenty quid, but the car is still misfiring. They assume 'Coil A' means the coil is dead, but on these Vauxhalls and Fords, the wiring loom near the connector often gets brittle and cracks. I’ve seen people replace all four coils and the ECU before realizing a £2 pin in the harness had backed out. Also, don't just swap the coil; check the plug. A tracked spark plug will blow a brand-new coil in five miles flat.
What a UK garage should charge for P0351
A decent Bosch or Delphi coil pack will set you back £60 to £120 depending on the motor, plus a set of NGK plugs at £30. I usually charge an hour's labour (£70 round here) for the diag and fitting. You’re looking at £160 to £220 at an indie. If you take a BMW or Merc to the main dealer, they’ll quote you £450+, mostly because they charge £150 just to plug their computer in and another £200 for 'genuine' parts that are just rebranded Bosch anyway.
P0351 repair cost in the UK
Most P0351 repairs land between £50–£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 P0351
If you've got a multi-coil pack (one big bridge over all plugs), don't let a garage charge you for four separate coils—it's one unit. If your car has individual "pencil" coils, ask the lad to swap Coil 1 with Coil 2. If the fault code changes to P0352, you know for a fact the coil is the culprit. If the code stays on P0351, it’s a wiring fault or an ECU driver issue. Don't let them 'parts-cannon' your car on your dime; make them prove the failure with a simple swap-test or an oscilloscope probe.
Can you drive with P0351?
Drive gently.
Urgency: high.