Vehicle Recall Check: How to Find If Your Car Has Outstanding Recalls

Summary

• Safety Matters: Recalls are issued when manufacturers find safety defects. They're free to fix and important to address.
• Check Before Buying: When buying used, check for outstanding recalls with our vehicle recall checker.
• Free Repairs: Recall repairs are always free at authorized dealers, regardless of the car's age or warranty status.

Vehicle recalls happen when manufacturers discover a safety defect that affects multiple vehicles. Some are minor. Some are serious enough to cause accidents or fires.

Here's how to check if your car—or a car you're buying—has any outstanding recalls.

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What Is a Vehicle Recall?

A vehicle recall is an official notice from a manufacturer that certain vehicles have a safety defect that needs fixing.

Why Recalls Happen

• Design flaw discovered after production
• Component failure rate higher than expected
• Safety issue identified through customer complaints
• Regulatory testing reveals problems

Who Issues Recalls

• Manufacturer: Most recalls are voluntary manufacturer actions
• DVSA: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency can mandate recalls
• International recalls: UK often follows US/EU recall actions

Recall vs Technical Service Bulletin

• Recall: Safety-related, free repair, manufacturer contacts owners
• TSB: Non-safety improvement, may or may not be free, no notification

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How to Check for Outstanding Recalls

Method 1: CarOwl Recall Checker

Use our vehicle recall checker to instantly see any outstanding recalls for a specific vehicle.

Method 2: Check gov.uk

The government maintains a database of vehicle recalls:

• Search by make and model
• Shows recall details and affected vehicles
• Visit gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall

Method 3: Contact the Manufacturer

• Call manufacturer customer service
• Provide your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• They can confirm any outstanding recalls

Method 4: Ask Your Dealer

• Authorized dealers can check recall status
• Often checked during servicing
• They can book the repair while you're there

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Common Types of Recalls

Airbag Recalls

The biggest recall in history was the Takata airbag recall, affecting millions of vehicles worldwide:

• Faulty inflators could explode with too much force
• Affected dozens of manufacturers
• Still ongoing—check older vehicles

Brake System Recalls

• Brake line corrosion
• ABS module failures
• Brake pedal issues

Fuel System Recalls

• Fuel leaks (fire risk)
• Fuel pump failures
• Fuel tank issues

Steering and Suspension

• Power steering failures
• Suspension component fractures
• Steering rack issues

Electrical Systems

• Battery fires (especially EVs)
• Wiring harness issues
• Software glitches affecting safety systems

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What Happens If Your Car Is Recalled

Step 1: Notification

• Manufacturer sends letter to registered keeper
• Letter explains the defect and fix
• Instructions on how to book repair

Step 2: Book Repair

• Contact authorized dealer
• Book appointment—often prioritized
• For serious recalls, dealers may offer collection

Step 3: Free Repair

• Repair is always free
• Parts and labour covered by manufacturer
• Applies regardless of car age or warranty status

Step 4: Confirmation

• Dealer marks recall as complete in system
• You may receive written confirmation
• Record kept for future reference

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Checking Recalls When Buying Used

Before buying any used car, check for outstanding recalls:

Why It Matters

• Previous owner may not have completed recall work
• Safety issues could affect you immediately
• Shows whether car has been properly maintained

What to Check

• Run our recall checker
• Ask seller if recall work has been done
• Request proof of recall completion

If Outstanding Recalls Exist

• Not necessarily a reason to walk away
• Repairs are free at dealer
• Factor time for repair into your plans
• Consider using as negotiation point

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What to Do About Serious Recalls

Some recalls advise you to stop driving immediately:

If Told to Stop Driving

• Follow the instruction—it's for your safety
• Contact dealer immediately for collection or mobile repair
• Manufacturer may provide courtesy car

Fire Risk Recalls

• Don't park in garage or near buildings
• Book repair as absolute priority
• Some recalls advise parking away from structures

Brake/Steering Recalls

• Assess whether it's safe to drive to dealer
• Consider breakdown service transport
• Don't ignore—these affect ability to control vehicle

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Recalls and MOT Tests

The MOT test checks roadworthiness, but:

Important Points

• Outstanding recalls don't automatically fail MOT
• But the underlying defect might cause failure
• Some garages voluntarily check recalls
• Use our MOT checker alongside recall checker

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What If You Can't Get a Recall Fixed?

Sometimes recall parts aren't immediately available:

Parts Shortage

• Major recalls can cause parts backlog
• Register with dealer for priority notification
• Follow any interim safety advice from manufacturer

Dealer Won't Help

• Try different authorized dealer
• Contact manufacturer head office directly
• Report to DVSA if dealer refuses recall work

Car Is Very Old

• Recalls apply regardless of age
• Parts availability may be an issue
• Manufacturer should still honour commitment

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Recall Check Checklist

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The Bottom Line

Vehicle recalls are free safety fixes—there's no reason not to get them done:

1. Check regularly—use our recall checker
2. Respond promptly—especially for serious safety recalls
3. Check before buying—outstanding recalls on used cars
4. Always free—at authorized dealers
5. Keep records—proof of recall completion

A few minutes checking could prevent a serious safety issue. Don't ignore recalls—they exist to protect you.

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