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What that light on your dash actually means

Tap a symbol. Colour tells you how urgent it is before you've even read what it says.

Warning LightsFluids & SymbolsNoises & Symptoms

Every warning light on a UK car follows the same colour logic, even though the exact symbols vary a bit between manufacturers. Learn the colours first — the specific icon second.

This covers the 25 you're most likely to actually see. Modern cars can have 40–50+ possible symbols in total — there's no single official master list, since manufacturers vary. If yours shows something not here, the colour rule still applies.

Red — stop when safe
Amber — book it in soon
Green/Blue — just information

Red — stop as soon as it's safe

Something's happening right now that could damage the car or put you at risk.

Amber — worth booking in soon

Usually still drivable, but don't let it sit for months.

Green / Blue — just information

Not a fault. Confirms something's switched on.

Every light does this on start-upWhen you turn the key or press start, most of your dashboard symbols light up briefly as a self-check, then switch off. That's completely normal — it's a light that stays on, or comes on while driving, that means something.

Symbol meanings and urgency levels reflect widely-used industry guidance (RAC, AA and manufacturer sources) on UK dashboard warning systems, since there's no single DVSA-published master list — exact symbols and their meanings vary between manufacturers, so always cross-check against your own handbook if you're unsure.