Free Vehicle Recall Check
Please note: If you can't find your vehicle make, try looking under the company that manufacturers it. Why is my vehicle make not listed?
Free & Instant
Check any vehicle for recalls at no cost
Official Data
Data sourced from official government records
Always Updated
Recalls from 1992 to present day
Inside the report
Recalls are one line in a longer record
Outstanding recall status comes with the full report. The write-off panel is open here, because damage history is what most often sits behind a car whose recall was never resolved.
Is the vehicle still on finance?
If a lender still has an interest in the vehicle, they can repossess it from your driveway. The seller keeps your money.
- Searched against
- The UK finance register
- Agreement types
- PCP, HP, lease, unit stocking
- Report shows
- Agreement type, date and status
- Recorded by
- The lender, not the seller
Source: UK Finance Register
Has it been written off?
Insurers record a category when a vehicle is damaged badly enough to be uneconomical to repair. Cat S and Cat N vehicles can legally return to the road.
- Searched against
- MIAFTR, the insurance loss register
- Categories covered
- A, B, C, D, S and N
- Report shows
- Category, and the date of loss
- Also covered
- Salvage and total-loss records
Source: MIAFTR
Does the mileage add up?
Every MOT reading is on record. A reading that goes down, or a jump that does not fit the pattern, is the clearest sign of a clocked vehicle.
- Readings used
- Every MOT reading on file
- Looking for
- Readings that fall, or jump
- Report shows
- The full run of readings, in order
- Also covered
- Average miles a year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is it recorded as stolen?
A car reported stolen and never recovered stays flagged on the Police National Computer. Buying one means losing the vehicle and the money.
- Searched against
- The Police National Computer
- Marker covers
- Vehicles reported and not recovered
- Report shows
- Whether a theft marker is held
- Also covered
- The vehicle's registration status
Source: Police National Computer
How many hands has it passed through?
Frequent keeper changes can mean a problem car being passed along. The V5C record shows every change of keeper since first registration.
- Source record
- The DVLA keeper record
- Report shows
- How many keepers it has had
- Dates given
- First registration and last change
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
Has it crossed a border?
An import can be fine, but it changes the history you should expect to find, and an exported marker on a vehicle still being sold here is a red flag.
- Markers checked
- Imported and exported
- Covers
- Vehicles first registered abroad
- Report shows
- Which marker is held, and when
- Also covered
- Whether UK history starts late
Source: DVLA
Has it been scrapped?
A certificate of destruction means the vehicle should not exist on the road. Vehicles with cloned plates borrow the identity of scrapped vehicles.
- Markers checked
- Scrapped, and destroyed
- Covers
- Certificates of destruction
- Report shows
- Whether the record was closed, and when
- Also covered
- Whether the VIN matches the record
Source: DVLA
Has the plate been changed?
Plate changes are legal and common, but they are also how a past identity gets buried. The full history lists every registration the vehicle has worn.
- Source record
- The DVLA registration record
- Report shows
- Every plate the vehicle has worn
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- Personalised plates added and removed
Source: DVLA
What does the MOT record say?
Every test, pass, failure and advisory since the vehicle's third year. Advisories are the useful part: they are a mechanic telling you what was already wearing out.
- Tests listed
- Every test on record
- Report shows
- Result, date and mileage for each
- Also covered
- Advisories and reasons for failure
- Goes back to
- The vehicle's third year
Source: DVSA MOT history
Is there an outstanding safety recall?
Manufacturers issue recalls when a fault could be dangerous. The work is free, but it only happens if somebody books it in, and a recall can sit unactioned for years.
- Searched against
- The DVSA recalls database
- Report shows
- Recalls affecting this vehicle
- Also covered
- Recall history for the model
- Cost to put right
- Free, at a franchised dealer
Source: DVSA recalls database
Has it been resprayed?
A recorded colour change can be a personal choice. It can also be how accident repairs or a previous identity stop being obvious at a glance.
- Source record
- The DVLA vehicle record
- Report shows
- Every recorded colour change
- Dates given
- The date of each change
- Also covered
- The colour at first registration
Source: DVLA
Does the vehicle match its paperwork?
The VIN on the vehicle should match the one on the record. When it does not, you are looking at a cloned or altered identity, and everything else in the history belongs to a different car.
- Compared
- The VIN against the DVLA record
- Report shows
- Whether plate, VIN and record agree
- Catches
- Cloned and altered identities
- Also covered
- How many V5Cs have been issued
Source: DVLA
What will it cost to tax?
The rate depends on emissions and registration date, and the difference between bands is large enough to change which vehicle you should buy.
- Source record
- The DVLA tax record
- Report shows
- Tax status, and the date it runs out
- Rate given
- The annual rate for this vehicle
- Based on
- Emissions and registration date
Source: DVLA
What is actually under the bonnet?
Engine size, power, fuel type and economy, taken from the manufacturer record rather than the advert. Useful for checking a listing describes the vehicle it is actually selling.
- Taken from
- The manufacturer record
- Report shows
- Engine size, power and fuel type
- Also covered
- Economy, emissions and gearbox
- Useful for
- Checking the advert is accurate
Source: Manufacturer data
What will it cost to keep?
Fuel, servicing, insurance group and tax in one place, so the monthly cost of owning the vehicle is visible before you commit to it rather than after.
- Report shows
- Fuel, tax, insurance and servicing
- Fuel worked out from
- The vehicle's own economy figures
- Adjustable
- By the mileage you actually drive
- Also covered
- Typical service and MOT costs
Source: Car Owl running-cost model
What will it be worth later?
What the vehicle is worth now and what it is likely to be worth in three years. Depreciation is usually the largest single cost of owning a vehicle, and the easiest one to ignore.
- Report shows
- What the vehicle is worth today
- Ranges given
- Private sale and trade
- Projected to
- Three years ahead
- Based on
- Age, mileage and market data
Source: Car Owl valuation model
What has happened to this vehicle?
Keeper changes, MOT tests, mileage readings and plate changes on one timeline. Patterns that are invisible in a list of dates tend to be obvious once they are in order.
- Events shown
- Keepers, MOTs, mileage and plates
- Ordered by
- Date, from first registration
- Also covered
- Stretches with no record at all
- Drawn from
- DVLA and DVSA records
Source: DVLA and DVSA records
What should you check in person?
A checklist built around this specific car, including what its own MOT advisories say to look at. It turns a viewing into something you can work through rather than guess at.
- Built from
- This car's own MOT advisories
- Also built from
- Known faults for the model
- Report shows
- What to check, in viewing order
- Includes
- Questions to ask the seller
Source: Car Owl
Also in every full report: VIC marker · Unpaid loan records · Common faults and typical repair costs · Fuel cost calculator · Priority support · Money-back promise
Why Use Our Vehicle Recall Checker?
From 1992 to today, our car recall checker helps you find any vehicle recall fast. Whether it's a safety issue, airbag fault, or DVSA recall, we make it easy to search by make, model, and year.
Quick Recall Check
Use our free car recall lookup tool to check for recalls on your car in seconds. Just enter your details, no fuss.
DVLA & DVSA Recalls
Get data from trusted sources including DVLA and DVSA to make sure your vehicle is safe and up to date.
Covers All Major Brands
From Ford Kuga recalls to VW airbag recall notices, we track recalls across all major car makers.
Smart Filters for Your Car
Easily filter by make, model, and year to run a vehicle recall search that’s specific to your car.
How Does a Vehicle Recall Work?
A car recall is issued when a vehicle has a known safety issue or fault. Manufacturers, along with DVSA and DVLA, issue these recalls to protect drivers. Our tool helps you run a recall check quickly and easily.
- Recall Outstanding
- MOT Pass
- Free To Fix
- Outstanding
- 1
- Resolved
- 2
- First issued
- Mar 2022
- Cost
- Free
Covers Recalls Since 1992
Our database includes automobile recalls going back to 1992. Simply enter your vehicle details and run a car recall search.
DVLA & DVSA Data
We pull recall info directly from trusted sources like DVLA and DVSA, so your recall lookup is always up to date.
All Major Makes & Models
From VW airbag recall notices to Ford Kuga recall updates, you’ll see every active recall for your car make and model.
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Common Questions About Vehicle Recalls
Car recalls can be confusing, especially if it’s your first time checking. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about recall checks, DVSA alerts, and safety notices.
How do I check for recalls on my car?
Use our free car recall lookup tool. Just enter your vehicle’s make, model, and year to run a full recall check using DVLA and DVSA data.
What types of car recalls are there?
Recalls can be for safety issues like faulty brakes, airbags, or steering. Some well-known examples include the VW airbag recall and Ford recalls for various models.
Do all vehicle recalls show up right away?
Not always. DVSA and manufacturers update recall info monthly. Our tool is refreshed regularly so your auto recall check reflects the latest published data.
Why Use Our Vehicle Recall Checker?
Our car recall check tool helps you stay safe, avoid costly repairs, and get the latest updates from DVLA and DVSA.
Fast Recall Lookup
Run a car recall lookup in seconds. Just enter your vehicle’s make, model, and year to check for any alerts.
Peace of Mind
Check for recalls on your car and get up-to-date info on DVSA and DVLA recalls. All backed by trusted sources.
Avoid Hidden Costs
Catching a vehicle recall early can help you avoid expensive repairs and keep your car safe to drive.
Check for Recalls on Your Car Instantly
Fast, Free, and Always Up to Date
Use our vehicle recall checker to see if your car has any active recalls. Just enter your make, model, and year to get instant results from DVSA and DVLA data.
Instant Recall Results
Run a recall check and find out in seconds if your vehicle has any safety notices or issues.
Covers All Makes & Models
From Ford Kuga recalls to VW airbag issues, get data for all cars going back to 1992.
Start Your Vehicle Recall Search Today
Our free recall lookup tool helps you stay safe, save money, and drive with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Depreciation
How do I check for recalls on my car?
Use our free recall lookup tool. Just enter your vehicle’s make, model, and year to see if there are any active recalls or safety issues.
What is a vehicle recall?
A vehicle recall is issued when a car has a safety issue or defect. Manufacturers, DVSA, or DVLA issue these to keep drivers safe.
Is the recall checker free to use?
Yes, our car recall checker is completely free. You can search by make, model, and year without needing to sign up.
Does this tool include DVSA and DVLA recall data?
Yes, we update our recall database every month using trusted data from DVSA, DVLA, and official car manufacturers.
Can I find recalls for older vehicles?
Absolutely. Our tool includes vehicle recall data dating back to 1992, covering thousands of car makes and models.
Which brands do you cover?
We cover all major brands, including Ford, VW, BMW, Toyota, and more. You can even find specific recalls like the Ford Kuga or VW airbag recall.