P0316
PowertrainEngine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)
This is the misfire detection system flagging that one or more cylinders stumbled during the first 1,000 revolutions after you turned the key, before the engine had properly settled. The ECU watches combustion most closely on a cold start because that's when emissions are highest and the fuelling is at its most delicate. A misfire here means a cylinder isn't firing cleanly when everything is still cold, which usually points to ignition, fuelling, or a sensor that misbehaves until things warm up. It's effectively a more specific version of a P0300 misfire, locked to the start-up window.
ⓘ Information only. This page provides general educational information about fault code P0316. We do not assess the urgency or safety implications of any specific fault. That requires in-person diagnosis by a qualified mechanic. Full terms.
Recommended next steps
Whether a fault is urgent, drivable, or routine depends entirely on the cause on a specific vehicle, and that can only be determined by a qualified mechanic with diagnostic equipment. If a warning light is illuminated, the most reliable next step is professional diagnosis.
What does P0316 mean?
P0316 is a Powertrain (engine, transmission, fuel system) fault code. It indicates: Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions).
This is a standardised OBD-II code. The technical definition is the same regardless of the make or model of vehicle, although specific causes and symptoms can vary between vehicles.
Symptoms commonly associated with this code
Symptoms that drivers often report alongside this code. Not all may apply to every case:
- • Engine warning light comes on, and on a bad misfire it may flash
- • Lumpy, shaky idle for the first 30 seconds or so after a cold start, often clearing up once warm
- • Stumble or hesitation when you pull away from cold before the engine has had a chance to settle
- • Longer cranking than usual, the engine catches but feels reluctant
- • Fuel smell from the exhaust on those first cold starts
- • Worse economy on short trips where the engine never fully warms through
Possible causes
Causes commonly associated with P0316, listed in approximate order of typical investigation. The actual cause on a specific vehicle can only be confirmed by professional diagnosis.
- 1. Worn or fouled spark plugs, the cheapest and most common culprit. Cold starts are harder on a tired plug than warm running
- 2. Failing ignition coil or perished HT leads. A coil with a hairline crack often only breaks down when cold and damp
- 3. Crankshaft or camshaft position sensor playing up, sometimes only when cold. Common on a fair few VAG and Vauxhall engines
- 4. Leaking or dirty fuel injectors that don't atomise properly until warm
- 5. Low fuel pressure from a weak pump or blocked filter, leaving the mixture lean on start-up
- 6. Vacuum leak in the intake or a split breather hose that has more effect when the engine is cold and the idle is unstable
- 7. Poor compression on a cylinder from worn rings or a burnt valve, which always shows worst on a cold engine
How mechanics typically diagnose
A typical diagnostic sequence used by mechanics, provided here for educational reference only. Diagnostic work should be performed by a qualified mechanic with the appropriate tools and training.
- 1. Pull the full code list and look for accompanying P030x misfire codes. P0301 alongside P0316 tells you cylinder 1 is your problem, which saves you a lot of guessing
- 2. Check freeze-frame data to confirm the misfire really is on a cold start, then pull the plugs on the flagged cylinder and have a proper look at colour and condition
- 3. Swap the suspect ignition coil onto a known-good cylinder and clear the codes. If the misfire follows the coil, you've found it
- 4. Put a gauge on the fuel rail and crank it. Low pressure on start-up that builds once running points at the pump or a leaking check valve
- 5. Inspect the crank and cam sensor wiring and connectors for corrosion, and back-probe the signal if you've got a scope
- 6. If ignition and fuelling check out, run a compression test on the affected cylinder before you start throwing parts at it
Common questions about P0316
Can I keep driving it like this? +
Short local runs won't strand you, but don't make a habit of it. A persistent misfire dumps raw fuel into the exhaust and cooks the catalytic converter, and a £40 plug job can turn into a £400 cat job if you ignore it. If the light is flashing, that means an active misfire serious enough to damage the cat right now, so back off and get it looked at quickly. A steady light gives you a bit more breathing room to book it in.
Is this going to fail my MOT? +
The code on its own isn't part of the MOT, but the tester checks whether the engine warning light is on with the engine running. If the MIL is illuminated at the time of the test, that's a fail on its own. Fix the cause, clear the code, then drive a few warm-up and cool-down cycles so the light stays off before you take it in. A genuine misfire can also push the emissions readings over the limit.
What's it likely to cost to sort? +
Depends entirely on what's behind it. A set of plugs fitted at an independent garage might be £40 to £90 all in. A single ignition coil is usually £60 to £150 fitted, more if you do the full set. A crank or cam sensor tends to land around £100 to £250 depending on how buried it is. If it turns out to be compression, valves or a head gasket, you're into the high hundreds and a main dealer will charge a good chunk more than a decent independent for the same work.
Information only, not professional advice
The information on this page is provided for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or repair advice from a qualified mechanic. Always verify any fault before paying for repairs. carfaultcodes.co.uk accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information. Full terms →