Enter your registration to check for open safety recalls using official DVSA data.
What a safety recall is
A recall is issued when a manufacturer or the DVSA identifies a fault that could affect safety or the environment across a batch of vehicles. The manufacturer must put it right free of charge, regardless of the age of the car, how many owners it has had, or whether it is still in warranty.
Recalls are not the same as service campaigns or technical bulletins. A recall is a formal safety action recorded against the vehicle identification number, and it stays outstanding until a franchised dealer completes the work and logs it.
How to check and what to do next
Enter your registration above and the check queries the official DVSA recall database for anything outstanding against that vehicle.
If something shows, phone any franchised dealer for that make with your registration and VIN. They will book it in and carry out the work free. You do not have to have bought the car there and you do not have to have it serviced there.
Does an outstanding recall affect the MOT?
An outstanding recall does not fail an MOT in itself, and it is not illegal to drive. But an unrepaired safety recall can complicate an insurance claim and it will always come up when you sell the car, so it is worth clearing.
Common recall subjects include airbag inflators, seatbelt pretensioners, fuel lines, brake servos, EGR coolers and software affecting emissions or braking systems.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for recall work?
No. Safety recall work is carried out free of charge by a franchised dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the vehicle.
How do I know if my car has a recall?
Enter your registration in the checker above. It reads the official DVSA recall data for that vehicle.
Can I drive a car with an outstanding recall?
It is not illegal, but recalls are issued for safety reasons. Book it in with a franchised dealer as soon as you can.
Will a recall show on the MOT history?
No. Recalls are recorded separately from MOT results, which is why a car can have a clean MOT record and still have work outstanding.