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.
Get the definitive answer from the official DVSA database
The complete, authoritative record of outstanding safety recalls is held by the DVSA. Search free by make and model to see every recall issued for your vehicle, then run our free car check below for its full MOT history, mileage and reliability.
How to check if your car has a recall: search the free official DVSA recall database by make and model, or enter your registration below for a full free car check. A recall is issued when a manufacturer finds a safety defect, and the repair is always free of charge 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
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How to check if your car has been recalled
Search the official DVSA recall database
The DVSA holds the complete, definitive record of UK safety recalls. Search free by make and model to see every recall issued for your vehicle. This is the authoritative source and the surest way to know if a recall applies.
Run a free car check by registration
Enter your reg for a free CarCostCheck report covering full MOT history, mileage verification, reliability and running costs. It is the quickest way to see the wider picture on a car, especially one you are thinking of buying.
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 free repair. Recall fixes are never charged for.
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.
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 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 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?▼
Search the official DVSA recall database on GOV.UK by make and model, which is the definitive record of UK safety recalls. You can also enter your registration on CarCostCheck for a free report covering MOT history, mileage, reliability and running costs. If a recall applies, contact your nearest franchised dealer to arrange the free repair.
Can I check for a recall by registration number?▼
The official DVSA recall database searches by make and model rather than registration, and it is the definitive source for outstanding recalls. Enter your registration on CarCostCheck for a full free car check covering MOT history, mileage, reliability and running costs, then confirm recall status in the DVSA database using the make and model, or by contacting a franchised dealer with your reg or VIN.
Is checking for a car recall free?▼
Yes. Searching the official DVSA recall database is completely free, and so is the CarCostCheck vehicle report. Recall repairs themselves are also free of charge, as manufacturers are legally required to fix safety defects at no cost to the owner, regardless of the car's age or warranty status.
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.
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Check for outstanding recalls now
Enter any UK reg plate for instant results. Recalls, MOT history, reliability, and running costs. All free.