If your airbag or SRS warning light has come on, stayed on, or started flashing, our airbag diagnostics service at MH Auto Repair Centre can find out why. For airbag diagnostics in Greenford, we check your vehicle’s airbag and SRS system to identify the fault behind the warning light rather than guessing at a repair. We’re based in Perivale, Greenford, and cover the surrounding West London area.
Message us on WhatsApp with your vehicle details and what you’ve noticed, and we’ll get your airbag check booked in.
What Is Airbag Diagnostics?
Airbag diagnostics, sometimes called an airbag fault check, is a check carried out on your vehicle’s airbag and SRS (Supplementary Restraint System) using diagnostic equipment connected to the airbag control module. It reads stored fault codes to identify what’s triggering the warning light, whether that’s a sensor, wiring or connector issue, or a fault within the airbag system itself. Airbag diagnostics is one of several checks under our wider vehicle diagnostics range.
This is different from general electrical fault finding, which looks at wiring, fuses and components across the whole vehicle, and from engine or ABS diagnostics, which focus on their own specific systems. Airbag diagnostics is specifically about the airbag and SRS system, including the sensors, wiring and components that control it.
Signs You May Need an Airbag Fault Check
It’s worth booking an airbag diagnostic check if you notice any of the following:
- The airbag or SRS warning light stays on after starting the engine
- The airbag warning light is flashing rather than staying steady
- The light has come on after a minor knock, bump or contact with another vehicle
- A seatbelt warning appears alongside the airbag light
- The light appeared after work was carried out under the dashboard, seats or steering wheel
- An airbag fault has returned after previous repair work elsewhere
What Our Airbag Diagnostics Covers
Our airbag diagnostics service covers the areas most likely to be behind an airbag or SRS fault, including:
- SRS fault code reading — connecting diagnostic equipment to the airbag control module to read stored fault codes
- Crash and impact sensor checks — checking the sensors and wiring that feed information to the SRS system
- Seatbelt pretensioner check — where the pretensioner shares a warning circuit with the airbag system
- Clock spring and steering wheel wiring — a common cause of an airbag light on vehicles with a steering wheel-mounted airbag
- Connector and wiring checks — looking for a loose, corroded or damaged connection in the SRS circuit
- Fault clearing and verification — confirming the warning light resets and stays off once any repair work is complete
If testing points to a fault within the airbag unit itself rather than the surrounding wiring or sensors, we’ll explain what we’ve found so you know exactly what’s needed.
How the Diagnostic Process Works
- Tell us what’s happening, including when the warning light came on and whether there’s been any recent impact or work on the vehicle
- We connect diagnostic equipment to the airbag control module and read any stored fault codes
- We check the relevant sensors, connectors and wiring linked to the fault
- We explain what we’ve found and provide a quote for any work needed before starting anything
- With your agreement, we carry out any repair work and confirm the warning light is cleared before handing your car back
Airbag Diagnostics or a System-Specific Check?
Airbag diagnostics focuses specifically on the airbag and SRS system. If your issue points elsewhere, a different check may be more appropriate: a general electrical fault such as a light or accessory that’s stopped working points to electrical fault finding, an ABS warning light points to an ABS-specific diagnostic check, a starting or charging issue points to battery diagnostics, and an engine-related fault or warning light points to engine diagnostics. If you’re not sure which applies, message us with what you’re noticing and we’ll advise on the right check.
What Affects the Cost of Airbag Diagnostics
We don’t publish a fixed price for airbag diagnostics, because it depends on the vehicle and what the test finds. Factors that affect the cost include:
- The make and model of your vehicle, as airbag and SRS systems vary between manufacturers
- Whether the fault is limited to a sensor, connector or wiring issue, or involves the airbag unit itself
- Whether any airbag or SRS component needs replacing once the fault has been confirmed
We’ll always talk you through the likely cost after we’ve diagnosed the fault, and you’ll get a quote before any repair work goes ahead.
Why Choose MH Auto Repair Centre for Airbag Diagnostics
We’re a family-run local garage in Perivale, Greenford, and our technicians bring around six years of relevant experience to diagnostic and repair work. Every vehicle we look at also gets a free vehicle inspection, and any repair work carried out comes with our six-month warranty and genuine parts where appropriate. A replacement vehicle may be available where applicable — just ask the team when you get in touch.
Airbag Diagnostics FAQs
What is airbag diagnostics?
Airbag diagnostics is a check carried out on your vehicle’s airbag and SRS system using diagnostic equipment connected to the airbag control module. It reads stored fault codes to identify what’s causing the airbag warning light or a related fault.
What does the airbag warning light mean?
The airbag warning light means the SRS system has detected a fault and may not deploy correctly in an impact. It doesn’t tell you which part of the system is affected on its own, which is why a diagnostic check is needed to confirm the cause.
Is it safe to drive with the airbag warning light on?
Your car will still drive and brake normally, but the airbag or seatbelt pretensioner it affects may not work correctly if you’re involved in a collision. Because this is a safety system, it’s best to get the fault checked as soon as reasonably possible rather than leaving it.
What can cause an airbag fault?
Common causes include a faulty impact sensor, a loose or corroded connector, damaged wiring, or a fault in the steering wheel clock spring on vehicles with a steering wheel-mounted airbag. A previous minor collision or work carried out under the dashboard or seats can also disturb the system.
Will an airbag fault affect my MOT?
The airbag/SRS warning light isn’t a designated item on the standard MOT test in the way the ABS light is, but it’s still a genuine safety concern worth getting checked in its own right rather than waiting for an MOT to flag it.
How much does airbag diagnostics cost?
Airbag diagnostic cost depends on the vehicle and the fault involved, so we don’t publish a fixed price. We’ll talk you through the likely cost once we’ve diagnosed the fault, and provide a quote before any repair work begins.
Book Your Airbag Diagnostics Check
Send your vehicle details and what you’ve noticed over on WhatsApp, and we’ll get your airbag diagnostic check booked in with our team in Perivale, Greenford. Prefer another way to reach us? Visit our contact page.
