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Free recall check — is there a safety recall outstanding?
Enter a UK registration plate. CarVouch checks the DVSA database for any outstanding manufacturer safety recall — an issue the manufacturer has flagged as needing a free fix.
What is a safety recall?
A recall is issued when a vehicle manufacturer or the DVSA identifies a safety defect that affects a batch of vehicles. The manufacturer is legally required to fix the fault for free.
Safety defect identified
A manufacturer discovers a fault affecting a group of vehicles — it could be brakes, airbags, fuel systems, electronics, or structure.
Recall issued
The manufacturer notifies DVSA and writes to registered keepers. The fault must be repaired free of charge at a dealer.
Outstanding = unfixed
An "outstanding" recall means the vehicle has not yet had the repair done. This may affect safety, insurance, and resale value.
What our recall check includes
Recall status
Whether DVSA records show an outstanding safety recall for this vehicle.
Full MOT history
The complete test record from DVSA alongside the recall status for full context.
Vehicle confirmation
Make, model, colour and year from DVLA — to confirm you're checking the right car.
Risk score
Recall status is factored into the overall CarVouch risk score alongside MOT history and mileage.
Why check for recalls before buying?
Outstanding recalls can affect everything from airbag deployment to power steering and engine management. Some recalls are minor — others are safety-critical. A seller is not legally required to disclose a recall, and many private sellers may not even know one exists.
If you buy a car with an outstanding recall, you inherit the problem. While recalls are repaired free by the manufacturer, scheduling the work takes time — and until it is done, you may be driving a vehicle with a known safety defect.
Checking before you buy gives you negotiating power: you can require the seller to complete the recall work first, or factor in the inconvenience when making an offer.
Recall check — FAQs
CarVouch uses the DVSA MOT History API, which includes an outstanding recall flag for each vehicle. This is the same data source used by MOT stations and the DVSA itself.
It means the manufacturer has issued a recall for a known fault on this vehicle, but the repair has not yet been completed. The recall status is updated in DVSA records once the dealer confirms the fix.
Yes. Under the Consumer Rights Act and manufacturer warranty obligations, recall repairs must be carried out free of charge by the manufacturer's approved dealers, regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage.
In most cases, yes. An outstanding recall does not automatically cause an MOT failure unless the specific defect directly causes an MOT failure item. However, the DVSA is working to tighten this.
This can occur for older vehicles, those with limited DVSA data, or where the manufacturer has not integrated with the DVSA system. "Unknown" does not mean a recall exists — it means the data could not be confirmed. Always verify directly with the manufacturer using the vehicle's registration or VIN.
Check for outstanding recalls — free
Official DVSA recall data. Results in seconds. No sign-up needed.