One fault code shows up more than any other, across every European market

Catalytic faults at the top of Topdon’s fault code data. Motor Trader News UK reports that diagnostics equipment maker Topdon found catalytic converter faults are the most common issue showing up in vehicle scans across Europe.

The company analysed more than 340,000 diagnostic sessions and found that P0420, the code for a catalytic converter operating below required efficiency, topped the list in every major European market it looked at.

P0420 can be triggered by a worn catalyst, a faulty oxygen sensor, an exhaust leak or, less often, using the wrong grade of fuel. It typically pushes emissions up rather than creating an immediate safety issue, but in the UK it is a common reason vehicles fail their MOT test.

Topdon Europe CEO Oscar Diaz said the code is one the company sees more than any other across the region, and that its tools are built to help drivers understand what a code means without stepping into full diagnosis themselves. His message to owners was straightforward, read the code and get it looked at by a workshop rather than clearing it and continuing to drive, since the underlying hardware is there for a reason.

While this data reflects the European market rather than Australia, it points to a fault pattern independent workshops here are likely to recognise as well, given how often catalytic and oxygen sensor issues show up in scan results locally.

Full story here.

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