Purge valve wiring shorted.
P0445 — also written PO445, P 0445, 0445 — is the OBD-II code for evap purge control valve shorted. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the ECU has detected a literal short circuit in the purge valve's electrical guts, usually seen on Corsa Ds and older Golfs where the wiring gets brittle.
P0445 is a emissions fault code, typically costing £45–£250 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0445 actually feels like to drive
- Management light stays on, but the car drives mostly fine.
- Rough idling at the traffic lights, especially just after filling up at the petrol station.
- A faint smell of petrol fumes lingering around the front wheel arches.
- Slight 'stumbling' or hesitation when you first pull away from a junction.
- The car takes a few extra cranks to start after you've just put £20 of super-unleaded in.
What causes P0445?
- Wiring short
- Failed valve
UK vehicles that throw P0445 most often
- Vauxhall Corsa D 1.2 / 1.4 VVT (2007-2014)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk5/Mk6 1.4 TSI (2008-2013)
- Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec (2009-2015) - Engine code SNJA
- Peugeot 207 1.4 VTi (EP3 Engine) 2007-2012
- Vauxhall Astra J 1.4 Turbo (A14NET) 2010-2015
How P0445 is fixed
- Replace valve
- Repair wiring
The P0445 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see folks constantly throwing £60 at a new fuel cap or a fresh charcoal canister because they read 'EVAP' and assume it's a leak. On the P0445, that’s a total waste of money. Because this code specifically flags a 'short circuit,' it's an electrical failure, not a pressure leak. Most of the time, the solenoid coil inside the valve has literally melted together, or the loom has rubbed through on a bracket. I've seen plenty of Astra owners change the whole fuel tank vent line when all they needed was a 5-minute wiring repair near the throttle body.
What a UK garage should charge for P0445
A generic aftermarket purge valve from Euro Car Parts or GSF might cost you £30 to £60, but for German stuff, I always try to stick with Bosch or Pierburg, which can hit £80. A main dealer will likely want £120+ just for the part. Labour is dead simple on most cars—half an hour usually does it (£40-£60). If it's a wiring loom repair instead of a part, expect to pay for an hour of diagnostic time, so you're looking at a total bill between £90 and £200 depending on how deep the short is hidden.
P0445 repair cost in the UK
Most P0445 repairs land between £45–£250 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 P0445
If you take it to a garage, tell them you want a 'component resistance test' and a 'wiring continuity check' before they order parts. A healthy Bosch purge valve should usually read between 15 and 30 ohms. If it’s near zero, the valve is toasted. Also, ask them to check the fuse—on many Peugeots and Fords, the purge valve shares a fuse with other sensors. If the valve shorts out, it pops the fuse, and you might end up with five different codes for things that aren't even broken. Don't let them bill you for five sensors when one fuse and a valve fixes it.
Can you drive with P0445?
Yes.
Urgency: low.