Cliff,
Thank you for your generous response
Your video attached helps alot. Despite having no clarity on whether my car would be variable valve timing this does explain quite abit about what the mechanism is.
I believe the engine is clogged up as I have been a negligent car owner with this car, I have not done well in maintaining the car via its annual oil and filter change, its been 2 months over due and I worry this is why the engine light has come up and my subsequent research led me to this conclusion that a flush may be required. At 90K mileage it is my firstmost assumption.
In terms of the symptoms itself I am seeing the following:
-Whiteish smoke occasionally coming from the exhaust, RARELY(only appeared once or twice since engine light)
-Lower pull power on the 185bhp, clearly less pull power when foot put down
-Electronic handbreak sticking and not unlocking when ready to move off with clutch & first gear, until manual release via clutch and break down.
-Bad smell occasionally in engine and surrounding car of burnt fuel
Regardless I will await the engine light diagnosis, as per yours and all other advice I have had, and will update this post ASAP
I could well be jumping to conclusions but hope all details I am giving helps you all in the know to understand the concern and also inform future car owners