Check whether your car has an outstanding safety recall free at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall using the registration or VIN. Recall repairs are always free from the manufacturer, whatever the car's age, mileage or number of owners, with no time limit. Outstanding recalls now show on the MOT certificate, and a recall can be raised at any time.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 18 August 2026
- Check outstanding recalls free at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall using the registration number or VIN; the DVSA holds the official record
- Recall repairs are always free from the manufacturer, regardless of the car's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had
- There is no time limit on the right to a free recall repair once a recall has been issued
- Outstanding recalls now appear on the MOT certificate, so an MOT tester can flag them, though the MOT itself can still pass
KEY FACTS
- Check outstanding recalls free at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall using the registration number or VIN; the DVSA holds the official record
- Recall repairs are always free from the manufacturer, regardless of the car's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had
- There is no time limit on the right to a free recall repair once a recall has been issued
- Outstanding recalls now appear on the MOT certificate, so an MOT tester can flag them, though the MOT itself can still pass
- For a serious safety defect the manufacturer writes to registered owners; second-hand buyers may miss letters if the maker lacks their address, so check yourself
- News peg: Stellantis is recalling about 955,000 vehicles worldwide over rear-view camera software (mainly US and Canada; roughly 15,000 outside North America)
- You should also tell your insurer nothing changes on a recall, but ignoring a known recall could be raised if a defect contributes to a crash
How to check for a recall
The official, free way to check is the DVSA vehicle recall checker at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall, using the registration number or the VIN. The tool shows open safety recalls recorded against the vehicle, and the DVSA holds the definitive UK record. Avoid paying third-party sites for something GOV.UK provides free.
You can also contact the manufacturer or a franchised dealer directly with the registration or VIN to confirm whether recall work is outstanding on your exact car. The manufacturer must carry out recall work at no cost regardless of where you check.
Why this is in the news
Stellantis, the parent of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, is recalling around 955,000 vehicles worldwide because radio software may stop the rear-view camera displaying when reversing. About 848,000 of those are in the United States, with roughly 107,000 in Canada, Mexico and other markets and about 15,000 outside North America.
The affected models are mainly 2026 and 2027 model-year US-market vehicles, and the fix is an over-the-air software update. Stellantis says it knows of no crashes or injuries. Separately, Stellantis recalled about 44,000 UK cars in April 2026 (Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and others) over a mild-hybrid fire risk, a reminder to check UK-registered vehicles directly.
Your rights: free repair, no time limit
Under manufacturer obligations, recall repairs must be carried out free of charge to the owner, whether the car was bought new or used. The right does not expire: even a recall issued years ago that a previous owner ignored can still be fixed free at an authorised dealer.
Age and mileage do not matter, and the recall warranty period being over does not remove the right to the free fix. If your car is affected, book it with a franchised dealer as soon as you can, especially for anything safety-critical.
Recalls, the MOT and buying used
Outstanding safety recalls now appear on the MOT certificate, and the tester can tell you the fault and who to contact. However, MOT testers are not required to check the recall database as part of the test, and a car with an open recall can still pass its MOT.
When buying used, check recalls as a separate step from the MOT history, because the manufacturer's recall letter may never have reached you. A service at a franchised dealer will often flag outstanding recalls, but do not rely on it happening automatically.
What to do if your car is affected
Contact a manufacturer-franchised dealer with your registration or VIN and book the free repair; do not delay on safety-critical faults. For a serious defect the manufacturer may advise not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed; follow that guidance.
Where the fix is an over-the-air software update, follow the maker's instructions and confirm the update has installed. Keep a record of the recall reference and the completed repair, which is useful evidence when you later sell the car.
DISCLAIMER
This article is general information drawn from primary sources named below and is not financial, legal or benefits advice. Figures and dates were correct on the last-reviewed date and can change; check GOV.UK or the relevant regulator before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my car has a recall?
Use the DVSA checker free at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall with your registration or VIN, or contact the manufacturer or a franchised dealer directly. The DVSA holds the official UK record.
Is a recall repair free?
Yes. Recall repairs are always free from the manufacturer, regardless of the car's age, mileage, or number of owners, and there is no time limit on the right once a recall is issued.
Can I still drive a car with an outstanding recall?
It depends on the fault. Minor software issues may be low risk, but for serious defects the manufacturer may tell you not to drive it until fixed. Follow their guidance.
Will a recall show on my MOT?
Outstanding recalls now appear on the MOT certificate and the tester can tell you the fault. But testers do not have to check the database, and a car with an open recall can still pass its MOT.
Does the Stellantis recall affect UK cars?
The 955,000-vehicle rear-view camera recall is mainly US and Canadian models. A separate April 2026 recall covered about 44,000 UK cars over a fire risk. Check any UK car directly on GOV.UK.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: Check if a vehicle has been recalled – accessed 2026-08-18
- GOV.UK: Vehicle recalls and faults – accessed 2026-08-18
- GOV.UK: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency – accessed 2026-08-18
