A recent study in early 2023 has found that 9 out of 10 people had a warning symbol pop up in their car that they didn’t recognize.

Warning lights can flag issues with the engine, or can even save a driver's life in the most serious of cases - but how many do you know? 

They are an everyday sight that could mean the difference between a smooth journey and a costly repair bill.

But many of us do not have much of an idea about warning lights and symbols on our car dashboards, and when to take action.

Warning lights can flag issues with the engine, or can even save a driver's life in the most serious of cases - but how many do you know? 

According to a new survey, one in three cannot recognise which symbol is the headlamp indicator, while 27 per cent can't identify the 'check engine' sign, the study of 2,000 drivers found.

And when people do understand what the car is warning them about, very few know how to manage the problem themselves. 

Two-thirds of those polled have no idea how to check the oil, just under half don't know how to change a tyre, and 44 per cent wouldn't have a clue how to change the windscreen wipers.

While 58 per cent have no idea what their tyre thread limit should be when it becomes illegal, or how to check it.

Dashboard warning lights are displayed by colour in red, amber, green and blue on a spectrum of how serious the problem is. While blue and green warning lights are less urgent, we advise you to take the same precautions as you would for the more serious warnings to prevent damage to your car.

Some problems will be easy to fix and not particularly urgent, a low windscreen washer fluid warning, for example. Other more serious faults denoted by red and amber warning lights will need to be promptly checked by a professional, especially if they relate to the brakes, engine, oil or gearbox.

The majority of warning lights are common to all makes and models of cars, although their precise locations, on or around the dashboard, may vary. 

Here is your handy guide to recognising what each symbol means and what you need to do about it.