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Emissions control fault

Peugeot Emissions control fault: SCR and AdBlue system

Verified with sources2 sourcesReviewed Oct 4, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you
Modern compact car (Volkswagen Golf), front three-quarter view
VauxfordCC BY-SA 4.0Image source

Risk level

High

Professional inspection is recommended.

Urgency

High

Quick answer

On a Peugeot BlueHDi diesel, 'Emissions control fault' or 'NO START IN' means a fault in the AdBlue SCR system. If it is still shown after 50 km, the fault is confirmed and starting will be blocked: go to a dealer or qualified workshop.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Once the fault is confirmed, Peugeot allows up to 1,100 km of driving; at zero the engine will not restart without the workshop.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Type of alert: range or fault
  • Still shown after 50 km
  • Do not run the countdown down

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Fault memory behind Emissions control fault message
  • Do not attempt this professional task: SCR system tests with the diagnostic tool

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. Fault memory behind Emissions control fault message

    What they doWith the Emissions control fault message active, the technician connects a Peugeot-capable diagnostic tool, reads stored and pending codes from every control unit and saves the freeze frame data for each one before clearing anything. They focus on the engine control unit and the SCR control unit.

    They must show youthe codes linked to Emissions control fault message with status (active or intermittent) and the freeze frame data.

    In writingthe codes read with the Emissions control fault message on, the technician's interpretation and whether they were cleared before or after the repair.

  2. SCR system tests with the diagnostic tool

    What they doThe technician checks live data from the tank level and temperature sensor, the AdBlue pump and injector and the NOx sensors, and runs the actuator tests the tool allows.

    They must show youthe result of each test and the measured values against the manufacturer specification.

    In writingwhich part failed, the replaced part with its reference and that the countdown is gone after the repair.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Type of alert: range or fault

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, reading the cluster with the car stopped somewhere safe.
    How:
    check whether the message is about AdBlue range or 'Emissions control fault', and whether the engine light is steady.
    Result that matters:
    whether the engine self-diagnostic light is steady together with the AdBlue light.
    If it is only a range alert:
    top up AdBlue; with an empty tank Peugeot asks for at least 5 litres.
    If 'Emissions control fault' shows with the engine light:
    an SCR fault; topping up will not fix it, go to the workshop.
    Evidence to keep:
    photo of the message and lights.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20 · Peugeot 208 guía de utilización edición 01-20

  2. Still shown after 50 km

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, noting the mileage.
    How:
    note the odometer when the message appears and check whether it is still shown after 50 km (31 miles).
    Result that matters:
    whether the message changes to 'starting prevented in X miles (kms)'.
    If it changes:
    the SCR fault is confirmed; Peugeot allows up to 1,100 km, book now.
    If it disappears before 50 km:
    the fault was not confirmed; mention it at the next service.
    Evidence to keep:
    photo of the message with the distance countdown.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20 · Peugeot 208 guía de utilización edición 01-20

  3. Do not run the countdown down

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, planning the appointment.
    How:
    arrange the workshop visit before the countdown reaches zero.
    Result that matters:
    reaching the workshop before starting is blocked.
    If you arrive in time:
    the workshop can diagnose with the car running.
    If 'Starting prevented' appears:
    Peugeot says to contact a dealer or qualified workshop to restart the engine.
    Evidence to keep:
    remaining distance when you booked.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Vehicles
Brand
Peugeot
Product type
Cars

Known code variants

  • AdBlue emissions fault
  • anti-pollution system faulty
  • emissions control fault
  • emissions control fault starting prevented
  • fallo anticontaminación
  • fallo anticontaminación AdBlue
  • fallo anticontaminación arranque inhibido
  • NO START IN
  • Peugeot SCR fault
  • sistema anticontaminación defectuoso
  • sistema anticontaminación SCR Peugeot

What it means

In the Peugeot 208 handbook (edition 01-20), the message appears when the SCR emissions control system, which uses AdBlue to cut diesel emissions, detects a fault. If it is still shown after 50 km (31 miles), the fault is confirmed: the AdBlue light flashes, the engine self-diagnostic light stays on and the message becomes 'starting prevented in X miles (kms)'. You can drive up to 1,100 km (685 miles) before starting is prevented. The message does not name the faulty SCR part.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Highsource verified

    Once the fault is confirmed, Peugeot allows up to 1,100 km of driving; at zero the engine will not restart without the workshop.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • SCR system faultCommon

    This is the case the message covers according to Peugeot. It differs from low AdBlue because the engine self-diagnostic light is steady.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20 · Peugeot 208 guía de utilización edición 01-20

  • AdBlue tank empty or lowPossible

    Peugeot warns about level with the AdBlue light in range bands (2,400 to 800 km, 800 to 100 km, under 100 km). It fits if the alert is about range, not a fault.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20 · Peugeot 208 guía de utilización edición 01-20

  • Passing indicationPossible

    Peugeot only confirms the fault if it is still shown after 50 km. If it disappears earlier, the system did not confirm it.

    Evidence: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20

Virtual technician

Does Emissions control fault still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20

    Stellantis (Peugeot) · 2020 · manual

  2. 2

    Peugeot 208 guía de utilización edición 01-20

    Stellantis (Peugeot) · 2020 · manual

Sources: Peugeot 208 handbook edition 01-20 · Peugeot 208 guía de utilización edición 01-20reviewed 2026-10-04 · verified

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