Published November 2026.
The traction control light usually shows a car with two wavy lines behind it. What it means depends on whether it’s flashing or staying on. A flashing light is good news: the system is working. A light that stays on means traction control has been switched off or has a fault. Here’s how to tell which, and what to do.
Traction control light: what to do now
- Flashing while you drive: the system is stopping the wheels from spinning, usually on a wet, icy or loose surface. Ease off the accelerator and drive more gently.
- Staying on, with “OFF” in or next to the symbol: traction control has been switched off, often by a button on the dashboard or centre console. Switch it back on.
- Staying on without being switched off: the system has found a fault. Try switching the engine off and on again; the RAC suggests this as a first step. If the light stays on, get the car diagnosed.
- On with the ABS light: both systems share sensors, so it’s usually one fault. See our ABS warning light guide.
What does traction control do?
Traction control stops the driven wheels from spinning when you accelerate, for example pulling away on a wet junction or on snow. It watches the wheel speed sensors, and if one wheel starts turning faster than the others, it cuts engine power or brakes that wheel until it grips again.
On most modern cars, traction control is part of a wider electronic stability control (ESC) system, which also brakes individual wheels to stop the car skidding in a bend. Makers call it different things, such as ESP, DSC or VSC, and the same warning light often covers both. ESC has been required on all new cars sold in the EU, including the UK at the time, since November 2014.
Flashing or steady: the difference
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Light flashes briefly while accelerating or cornering | The system is working: a wheel lost grip | Drive more gently for the conditions |
| Light on, with “OFF” | Traction control has been switched off | Switch it back on, unless you’re deliberately using it off, such as to get moving in deep snow |
| Light on steadily after a restart | A fault has switched the system off | Get it diagnosed; drive with extra care |
| Light on with ABS light | Usually a shared wheel speed sensor fault | Get it diagnosed; check the ABS guidance |
Common causes of a traction control fault
- A faulty wheel speed sensor or its wiring. The most common cause, and why the ABS light often comes on too.
- A steering angle sensor fault. Stability control needs to know where you’re steering. The sensor can need recalibrating after wheel alignment or steering work.
- Tyres of different sizes, or one badly under-inflated tyre, which make one wheel turn faster.
- A fault elsewhere, such as in the engine or ABS, that makes the car switch traction control off as a precaution. The fault code will show this.
Is it safe to drive with the traction control light on?
In good conditions, the car drives normally without traction control. But it won’t help you if a wheel spins or the car starts to skid, so take extra care in the wet, ice or snow, accelerate gently and leave more room. Get the fault checked soon rather than waiting until winter.
Is a traction control light an MOT fail?
It can be. The MOT inspection manual (section 7.12) lists “ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction” as a major defect, so a stability control warning light showing a fault fails the test. Because traction control and ESC usually share a light, a steady fault light is likely to mean a fail. If the light is only on because the system has been switched off, switch it back on before the test.
Buying a used car? Check the light
- Check the traction control and ESC lights come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
- Ask whether any warning lights have been on recently, and whether the car has had suspension or steering work.
- Look for past MOT failures in the car’s history with our free MOT history check.
Our guide to dashboard warning lights covers the other lights to check.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my traction control light flashing?
Because the system is working: a wheel has lost grip and the car is cutting power or braking it. Ease off and drive more gently.
Can I drive with the traction control light on?
Usually yes, carefully, but the system won’t help if the wheels spin or the car skids. Get it checked soon.
Should I turn traction control off?
Only in specific situations, such as getting moving in deep snow or mud, where some wheelspin helps. Switch it back on straight afterwards.
Why are the traction control and ABS lights on together?
Both systems use the same wheel speed sensors, so one faulty sensor or its wiring often lights both.
Will the traction control light fail an MOT?
If it shows a stability control fault, yes: an ESC warning light indicating a malfunction is a major defect.
- GOV.UK: MOT inspection manual, section 7 other equipment (7.12 electronic stability control)
- RAC: car dashboard warning lights (18 August 2026)
- What Car?: car dashboard warning lights explained (3 March 2025)
- legislation.gov.uk: Regulation (EC) 661/2009, Annex V (stability control dates)
Check a car’s MOT history, including any failures for warning lights, with our free MOT history check.