Use the free GOV.UK check vehicle recalls service and enter the registration. A standard MOT does not generally cover recalls. If one is outstanding, the manufacturer's franchised dealer will carry out the fix free of charge.
Last reviewed: June 2026
How to Check for an Outstanding Recall
The quickest way to find out whether a vehicle has an unfixed safety recall is the GOV.UK check vehicle recalls service. Entering the registration number returns whether the vehicle is currently affected by an outstanding recall, along with information about the manufacturer campaign. The service is free, requires no account, and works for cars, vans, motorcycles and other classes of vehicle covered by the recall record.
- GOV.UK runs a free check vehicle recalls service that shows whether a car, van, motorcycle or other vehicle is affected by a manufacturer safety recall.
- A standard MOT tests roadworthiness against set criteria and does not generally check whether an outstanding manufacturer recall has been carried out.
- DVSA holds and publishes recall data for vehicles, tyres and certain equipment in Great Britain, and the recall check uses that record.
- A safety recall repair is carried out free of charge by the manufacturer through a franchised dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner.
- You can check a vehicle's MOT status separately at the GOV.UK check MOT status service; the two checks cover different things.
The check is useful at two moments in particular. The first is before buying a used vehicle, where an outstanding recall is something a private seller may not even know about. The second is during ownership, because a recall can be issued at any time and the letter posted by the manufacturer can be missed if the vehicle has changed hands or the keeper has moved. Running the check periodically, and certainly before a purchase, closes that gap.
How Manufacturer Safety Recalls Work
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer, often working with DVSA, identifies a defect that could affect the safety of a vehicle or its occupants and other road users. Recalls have covered components such as brakes, steering, airbags, fuel systems, seatbelts and electrical faults that could cause a fire. When a campaign is launched, the manufacturer aims to contact registered keepers and arrange a free repair, replacement or modification at a franchised dealer.
Recalls matter because the defect they address is, by definition, a safety risk. An unfixed recall can leave a known fault in place on a vehicle that is otherwise being driven normally and may even hold a valid MOT. Because the repair is free and is the manufacturer's responsibility, there is no financial reason to leave a recall outstanding. The obstacle is usually awareness rather than cost, which is exactly why an independent check is valuable.
Why an MOT Does Not Cover Recalls
An MOT is a test of whether a vehicle meets minimum roadworthiness and environmental standards on the day of the test, assessed against the DVSA testing criteria. The current defect categories of dangerous, major, minor and advisory, introduced in May 2018, describe faults the tester finds against those criteria. A manufacturer recall is a different thing: it relates to a design or production defect identified by the maker, not to a roadworthiness item in the MOT manual.
For that reason, a standard MOT does not generally check whether an outstanding recall has been actioned, and a car with an unfixed recall can still pass its MOT. The two systems run in parallel and answer different questions. The MOT asks whether the vehicle is roadworthy now; the recall record asks whether the manufacturer has flagged a safety defect that still needs the free remedy. A buyer or owner who relies on the MOT alone can miss an open recall entirely.
| Feature | Recall check | MOT |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Manufacturer safety defect campaigns | Roadworthiness against DVSA criteria |
| Who issues it | Manufacturer, often with DVSA | Approved MOT test centre |
| Cost of the fix | Free, paid by the manufacturer | Owner pays for any repairs, up to £54.85 test fee |
| How often checked | Any time, free online | Annually after the third anniversary of registration |
How DVSA Holds Recall Data
DVSA maintains the official record of vehicle safety recalls in Great Britain, covering vehicles as well as tyres and certain items of equipment. When a manufacturer launches a campaign, the details feed into this record, which is what the GOV.UK recall check draws on when you enter a registration number. Because the data is held centrally and tied to the vehicle, the check does not depend on whether the manufacturer managed to reach the current keeper by post.
This central record is why an online lookup can reveal a recall that an owner never received a letter about. Keepers move house, vehicles are sold privately, and contact details fall out of date, but the recall record stays attached to the vehicle. Using the GOV.UK service therefore gives a more reliable picture than waiting for a letter, and it is the same authoritative source whether the vehicle is being bought, sold or simply kept.
What to Do If a Recall Is Outstanding
If the check shows an outstanding recall, the next step is to contact a franchised dealer for the vehicle's make and quote the registration and, where available, the recall reference. The dealer will confirm whether the vehicle is affected, order any required parts and book it in. The work is carried out free of charge as part of the manufacturer's responsibility, and this applies even if you are not the first owner.
When buying a used vehicle, an outstanding recall is worth raising with the seller and getting resolved, ideally before completing the purchase or shortly afterwards. It is not usually a reason to abandon a sale, because the fix is free, but it should be acted on promptly given that the defect is a recognised safety issue. Keeping a note of the completed recall work alongside the service records helps the next owner too.
It is also worth understanding the difference between a manufacturer recall and a voluntary service campaign. A formal safety recall addresses a defect that could affect safety and carries the strongest expectation of a free remedy. Some makers also run service actions or technical campaigns for issues that fall short of a safety recall, and these may have their own terms. When a franchised dealer checks the vehicle identification number, they can confirm which campaigns apply, so quoting that number alongside the registration gives the most complete answer about outstanding work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a car has an outstanding recall?
Use the free GOV.UK check vehicle recalls service and enter the vehicle registration number. The service tells you whether the vehicle is affected by an outstanding manufacturer safety recall and gives details of the campaign. It works for cars, vans, motorcycles and other vehicle classes covered by the recall record.
Does an MOT check for recalls?
No, a standard MOT does not generally check whether an outstanding manufacturer recall has been carried out. The MOT assesses roadworthiness against DVSA criteria, while a recall relates to a safety defect identified by the manufacturer. A car with an unfixed recall can still pass its MOT, so the recall check should be done separately.
What is a vehicle safety recall?
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer identifies a defect that could affect the safety of a vehicle or other road users. Common subjects include brakes, steering, airbags and fuel or electrical faults. The manufacturer arranges a free repair, replacement or modification at a franchised dealer.
What do I do if my car has an unfixed recall?
Contact a franchised dealer for your vehicle's make, quote the registration and any recall reference, and book the work in. The repair is carried out free of charge by the manufacturer, even if you are not the original owner. It is sensible to act promptly because the recall addresses a known safety issue.
Is checking for a recall free?
Yes, the GOV.UK check vehicle recalls service is free to use and requires no account. The recall repair itself is also free, because the manufacturer is responsible for the cost of fixing a safety defect it has recalled the vehicle to address.
