Car Recall Check: Is Your Vehicle Affected?
Check if your car has any outstanding safety recalls. Millions of vehicles are recalled every year. Make sure yours is not one of them.
What the recall check covers
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 a free 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. All recall repairs are carried out free of charge by authorised dealers.
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. There should be no charge for parts or labour.
Keep the documentation showing the recall has been completed. This protects your insurance position.
If the dealer refuses to carry out the recall for free, contact DVSA directly on 0117 934 0444.
How it works
Enter the reg plate
Type any UK vehicle registration into the search bar. No signup needed.
We check recall databases
We check the vehicle against DVSA recall records and flag any outstanding safety recalls.
Review recall status
View any recalls alongside MOT history, reliability score, and the full vehicle report.
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 is required to notify all affected owners and repair the defect free of charge. 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 plate above to check. We also recommend checking the DVSA recall checker on GOV.UK, which allows you to search by make and model. If a recall applies to your vehicle, contact your nearest dealer to arrange the free repair.
Are recall repairs free?▼
Yes. Manufacturers are legally required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge, regardless of the car's age or whether it is still under warranty. This includes parts and labour. You should never be asked to pay for a recall repair.
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?▼
Very common. Millions of vehicles are recalled in the UK every year. 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.
Check for outstanding recalls now
Enter any UK reg plate for instant results. Recalls, MOT history, reliability, and running costs. All free.