Car Recall Check by Registration: Free DVSA Lookup
Enter your reg. We show whether the DVSA has an outstanding recall logged against that exact vehicle, plus the recalls DVSA lists for that model built around the car’s date. Free, no signup.
What the free recall check shows for your reg
- Outstanding recall flag for that exact vehicle: outstanding, all fixed, or none recorded, as the DVSA holds it against the registration.
- Recalls DVSA lists for that model built around the car’s date: the fault, the fix and the launch date, from DVSA’s published recall list.
- The rest of the free report: full MOT history, mileage timeline, tax and MOT status, running costs and a valuation range.
Last updated 9 October 2026. Data: DVSA MOT history service and the DVSA vehicle recall service; recall list from DVSA's published recall file, newest recall issued 21 October 2026, list last changed 24 October 2026. Prefer to search by make and model? Open the DVSA recall database on GOV.UK.
How to check if your car has a recall: enter your registration above. The free report shows whether the DVSA has an outstanding recall logged against that exact vehicle and lists the recalls DVSA records for that model built around the car’s date. A recall is issued when a manufacturer finds a safety defect, and you will not usually have to pay for the repair, whatever the car’s age or how many owners it has had. If your vehicle is affected, book it in with a franchised dealer as soon as you can.
What the free car check covers
How to check if your car has been recalled
Enter your registration
Enter your reg on CarCostCheck. The free report shows the DVSA outstanding-recall flag for that exact vehicle, the recalls DVSA lists for that model built around the car's date with the fault and the fix, plus full MOT history, mileage and running costs.
Read the full notice in the DVSA recall database
For the complete recall notice, search the free DVSA recall database on GOV.UK by make and model. It holds every safety recall issued in the UK and is the record the manufacturers report into.
Confirm with a franchised dealer
Contact a manufacturer-franchised dealer with your registration or VIN. They can confirm whether any recall work is outstanding on your exact vehicle and book the repair. You will not usually have to pay for recall work.
How vehicle recalls work in the UK
When a manufacturer discovers a safety defect that affects a batch of vehicles, they are required to issue a recall. In the UK, the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) coordinates the recall process and maintains a public database of all recalls.
The manufacturer must notify all affected owners by letter, explaining the defect and inviting them to visit a dealer for the repair. However, if you have bought the car second-hand, the manufacturer may not have your current address. This is why checking for outstanding recalls is important when buying a used car.
Common reasons for recalls include faulty airbags (the Takata airbag recall affected millions of vehicles globally), brake system defects, fuel leaks, electrical faults that could cause fires, and steering or suspension issues. Recall repairs are carried out by authorised dealers, and you will not usually have to pay.
What to do if your car is recalled
Contact your nearest authorised dealer and quote the recall reference number.
Book an appointment for the recall repair. You will not usually have to pay for parts or labour.
Keep the documentation showing the recall has been completed. This protects your insurance position.
If the dealer asks you to pay for recall work, ask them to check with the manufacturer, or contact the DVSA through GOV.UK.
Buying a car with an open recall?
An outstanding recall is one thing to check, but it is rarely the only one. Before you buy, see the car’s full history: outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen markers, mileage discrepancies and plate changes. A recall repair is usually free, but an undisclosed write-off or finance debt could cost you thousands.
Check the full car history →How it works
Enter the reg plate
Type any UK vehicle registration into the search bar. No signup needed.
We pull the official records
We gather DVLA and DVSA data for the vehicle: full MOT history, mileage, reliability and running costs.
Review the full report
See the complete free report, then confirm recall status in the official DVSA database using the link above.
Frequently asked questions
What is a vehicle recall?▼
A vehicle recall is issued when a manufacturer discovers a safety defect that could affect a group of vehicles. The manufacturer writes to affected owners and fixes the defect, and you will not usually have to pay. Recalls are tracked by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) in the UK.
How do I check if my car has been recalled?▼
Enter your registration on CarCostCheck. The free report shows whether the DVSA has an outstanding recall logged against that exact vehicle (outstanding, all fixed, or none recorded) and lists the recalls DVSA records for that model built around the car's date, from DVSA's published recall list, with the fault and the fix. If anything is outstanding, contact a franchised dealer to book the repair; you will not usually have to pay. You can also search the DVSA recall database on GOV.UK by make and model.
Can I check for a recall by registration number?▼
Yes. Enter your registration on CarCostCheck and the free report shows the DVSA outstanding-recall flag for that exact vehicle, taken from the DVSA MOT history service, alongside the recalls DVSA lists for that model built around the car's date. GOV.UK can also check by registration: its guide sends you to the MOT history service, which shows any safety recall that has not been checked or fixed. Its recall database searches by make, model and year, and is the place to read the full recall notice. A franchised dealer can confirm with your reg or VIN.
Is checking for a car recall free?▼
Yes. The CarCostCheck recall check by registration is free, with no signup, and so is the DVSA recall database on GOV.UK. Recall repairs are usually free too: GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts.
Are recall repairs free?▼
Usually, yes. GOV.UK says that when a vehicle is recalled for a safety problem you will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts. If a dealer asks you to pay for recall work, ask them to check with the manufacturer, or contact the DVSA.
What happens if I ignore a recall?▼
Ignoring a recall puts you and your passengers at risk. Safety recalls are issued for genuine hazards: faulty airbags, brake failures, fire risks, and steering defects. An unrepaired recall could also affect your MOT result if the defect is testable, and your insurance may not cover an accident caused by a known, unrepaired defect.
How common are vehicle recalls?▼
Common. Major manufacturers including Toyota, BMW, Ford, VW, and Mercedes issue recalls regularly. Having a recall does not mean the car is unreliable; it means the manufacturer has identified and is proactively fixing a potential issue.
Will a recall show on the MOT?▼
Not directly. MOT testers do not check for outstanding recalls. However, if the defect covered by the recall is something that would be tested during an MOT (such as brakes or steering), it could cause a failure. This is another reason to get recall work done promptly.
Related checks
MOT History Check
Full test results and advisories
Free Car History Check
Complete free vehicle report
Car History Check
Full vehicle background report
Stolen Car Check
Police National Computer lookup
Reliability Rankings
Most and least reliable models
Cheapest Cars to Run
Running cost rankings
Insurance Group Calculator
Find your car's insurance group
Car Spec Check
Engine, CO2 and Euro standard by reg
Check for outstanding recalls now
Enter any UK reg plate for instant results. Recalls, MOT history, reliability, and running costs. All free.