EGR position or temperature sensor B reading below expected.
P0407 — also written PO4O7, P 0407, 0407 — is the OBD-II code for egr sensor b circuit low. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
P0407 means the ECU is getting a 'dead' signal from the EGR's feedback sensor. You'll see this most often on VW Golfs and Transporters where the EGR cooler and valve are one big, expensive lump.
P0407 is a emissions fault code, typically costing £90–£500 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0407 actually feels like to drive
- Engine management light (EML) staring you in the face.
- The car feels 'flat' or sluggish, especially when pulling away from roundabouts.
- Hesitation or a brief 'stutter' at motorway cruising speeds (around 70mph).
- Limp home mode (restricted performance) if the fault persists.
- Rough idling when you're sat at the lights, occasionally stalling.
What causes P0407?
- Failed sensor
- Wiring short
UK vehicles that throw P0407 most often
- VW Golf Mk6 1.6 TDi (CAYC engine) 2009-2013
- Ford Transit Custom 2.2 TDCi (Duratorq) 2012-2016
- Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi (A20DTH) 2008-2015
- Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDi 2010-2015
- Audi A3 2.0 TDi (CR engines) 2008-2012
- Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi (EcoBlue) 2014-2018
How P0407 is fixed
- Replace EGR sensor assembly
- Repair wiring
The P0407 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I've lost count of how many times I've seen customers come in having already 'fitted' a cheap £30 eBay EGR valve to try and fix P0407, only for the code to stay active. People assume 'Circuit Low' means the valve is just clogged with soot, so they spray half a tin of carb cleaner down it. In reality, on modern VAG or Ford units, the electronics inside the plastic cap have usually succumbed to heat soak or moisture. Nine times out of ten, it’s an internal short in the potentiometer, not just a bit of carbon buildup.
What a UK garage should charge for P0407
Diagnostic fee is usually £60-£90 at an indie. For a Vauxhall or Ford, a decent Bosch or Pierburg EGR valve will set you back £150-£220 plus two hours labour (£120). However, if you're unlucky enough to have a VW 1.6 TDi, the EGR is at the back of the engine; the part is £350 and it's a 5-hour ball-ache to fit, so you're looking at £700+. Main dealers will easily double these prices for the exact same OE parts.
P0407 repair cost in the UK
Most P0407 repairs land between £90–£500 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 P0407
If you take this to a garage, ask them to 'scope the 5V reference line.' If that reference signal is being pulled down to ground, the EGR is toast. Also, don't let them just swap the valve and hand you the keys. On Fords especially, you must insist on an 'EGR Adaptive Learning' reset via the diagnostic tool. If they don't do the reset, the ECU will still try to use the old, failed voltage parameters, and the car will still feel like it's dragging an anchor.
Can you drive with P0407?
Yes.
Urgency: medium.