Outstanding Recall on a Used Car: What to Do Before You Buy

You can check a used car for an outstanding safety recall for free, using its registration number with our free recall check by reg. The harder part is knowing what to do with the answer, because a recall on a used car is rarely a straightforward yes or no decision. Sometimes it is a routine free repair that takes an afternoon. Occasionally it is a reason not to drive the car at all.

This guide covers the whole job. It explains what a recall actually is, how to check by reg (with our free recall check and the official GOV.UK service), what each result means, what to ask the seller if a recall shows up, and what to do if you already own the car. It also covers whether an unfixed recall makes a car fail its MOT.

Key takeaways

• A recall is a manufacturer's fix for a safety problem, overseen by DVSA. Under GOV.UK's guidance you will not usually have to pay for the repair or parts.
• You can check by registration for free. Our free recall check by reg shows whether DVSA records an outstanding recall on the car: a yes, a no, or no answer. GOV.UK's recall check is the official place to look up the recall itself.
• No answer is not "clear". If DVSA gives no definite answer, you cannot say either way. Use the GOV.UK check and ask a franchised dealer.
• An outstanding recall is not automatically a reason to walk away. Find out what the recall is for, whether the work has been done, and whether the manufacturer has said not to drive the car.
• An unfixed recall is not an item in DVSA's MOT inspection manual for cars, so the car can pass its MOT with one outstanding. That does not make it safe to ignore.
• A recall check does not cover finance, write-offs, theft or mileage. Those need a full history check.

What a vehicle recall actually is

A recall happens when a manufacturer finds a problem with a vehicle, part or accessory and has to put it right. GOV.UK's guidance on vehicle recalls says you need to get your vehicle fixed or replaced by the manufacturer if they find a serious problem with it, and that you will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts.

Two points about who is involved:

• The manufacturer (or the importer or distributor) runs the recall. It proposes the remedy, writes to owners and arranges the repair, usually through its dealer network.
• DVSA oversees the system. DVSA's code of practice on vehicle safety defects and recalls says that once a manufacturer concludes there is a safety defect, it is for the manufacturer to put measures in place to remove or reduce the risk, and DVSA either agrees the plan or proposes changes to it.

Safety recall, stop-drive recall, non-safety recall and service campaign

Not every manufacturer "campaign" is a safety recall, and the distinction matters when you read a result. DVSA's code of practice sets out these options, among others.

The official GOV.UK recall check is for serious safety recalls. Its own page says you will be told by the manufacturer if a car has been recalled for any reason other than safety. So a car can have a non-safety campaign outstanding that the GOV.UK check will not show. A franchised dealer is the place to ask.

How to check a used car for recalls by registration

There are two quick checks, and they do different jobs. Use both.

Step 1: Run our free recall check

Enter the registration on our free recall check. Alongside each MOT test's pass or fail result, date and mileage reading (with advisories on tests that passed), tax and MOT status and the car's specification, it shows whether DVSA records an outstanding manufacturer recall on the vehicle. You will get a yes, a no, or no answer:

• Yes. DVSA records an outstanding recall for the car.
• No. DVSA does not record an outstanding recall for the car.
• Unavailable or unknown. DVSA did not give us a definite recall answer for that vehicle.

You only need the registration to start, so you can do it from the advert before you travel. The first time you use it, we ask for your email address and send you a link to the result.

Step 2: Use the official GOV.UK recall check for the detail

GOV.UK's Check if a vehicle, part or accessory has been recalled is the official service. For cars, it works like this:

• With the registration number, you can view safety recalls that have not been checked or fixed, alongside the car's MOT history. The registration route goes through the GOV.UK MOT history service.
• Without the registration number, you can check by manufacturer, model and year of manufacture. That tells you about recalls for that model and year in general, not whether one specific car has had the work done.

You do not need the VIN for this check. It matters later, when you ask a dealer to confirm the car's status.

If the Carhealth check says yes, the GOV.UK check is where you find out what the recall is for.

What it means when there is no recall answer

Sometimes the recall status comes back as unavailable or unknown. It means DVSA did not give us a definite recall answer for that car. That is all. It does not mean the car has a recall, and it does not mean the car is clear.

If you see it:

1. Run the GOV.UK recall check yourself with the same registration.
2. Ask a franchised dealer for the make to check the car by VIN.
3. Ask the seller for any recall letters, and look in the service book for recall work.

Do not treat "unavailable" or "unknown" as a pass. Treat it as "unconfirmed" until one of those three steps gives you an answer.

One check on the plate, one check on the car

Every recall check runs on a registration number. If the plates on the car in front of you belong to a different vehicle, you are reading the recall status of that other car. Before you rely on any result, compare the VIN on the car with the VIN on the V5C, as GOV.UK's checklist for buying a used vehicle advises, and compare the details in the advert with DVLA's record. Our VIN check guide shows where to find the VIN and how to compare it, and our guide to V5C and logbook fraud covers what to do if the paperwork does not add up.

The car has an outstanding recall: what now?

The next step depends on what the recall is for.

1. Find out what the recall is for

Use the GOV.UK check to see the details. The question you are answering is how serious it is:

• Is it a stop-drive recall? If the manufacturer has told owners not to drive the vehicle, you should not buy it as a car you will simply drive home. See the section on walking away below.
• Is it a safety-critical component? Airbags, brakes, steering and fuel or fire risks are the sort of thing you want sorted before you use the car, not after.
• Is it an inspection or a repair? DVSA's code of practice says a safety recall typically results in a repair, an inspection to see whether a repair is needed, or a buy back. Check the actual wording.

2. Ask the seller directly

Put these to the seller before you view, ideally in writing so you have a record:

• "Has the recall work been done?"
• "Do you have the letter from the manufacturer, or paperwork showing it was completed?"
• "Where was it done, and when?"

A hesitant reply is information in itself, but it is also possible the seller never received the letter (see the section for owners below).

3. Look for proof the work was done

Not every owner keeps the paperwork, so ask for evidence. Evidence that the work has been done includes:

• A dealer invoice or job card that refers to the recall by name or number, even if the cost is zero.
• A stamp or entry in the service book from a franchised dealer.
• The manufacturer's own completion letter, where one was sent.

Our guide to recovering missing service history explains how to chase paperwork if the seller does not have it.

4. Ask a franchised dealer to confirm by VIN

A franchised dealer for the make can usually look a car up by VIN and tell you what the manufacturer's records say about open recalls and campaigns. That includes non-safety campaigns the public check does not show. Phone the service department, give them the VIN from the V5C (not just the plate), and ask whether there are any outstanding recalls or campaigns on that vehicle. Be aware that some dealers will only discuss a car's record with its registered keeper, so if you are not the keeper yet, ask the seller to make the call or to be on the line. It is the cleanest way to settle a "yes" or an "unavailable" result.

5. Factor in the time and the logistics

The repair is normally free, but it still takes your time. Before you commit, think about:

• Booking time. A dealer needs to fit the work into the workshop, and for a recall they may need to order parts. DVSA's code of practice acknowledges that some recalls are phased, or depend on limited parts supply, which can slow things down.
• Where you will do it. Factor in the distance to the nearest franchised dealer for the make.
• How you will drive it in the meantime. If the recall is not stop-drive, the notice should say whether the car can be used and what precautions to take. If it does not, ask the dealer before you drive it.

Ask the seller to have the work done before you buy, or agree a price that reflects the hassle if you are happy to take it on. Our guide to negotiating the price of a used car covers how to bring it up without souring the deal.

When an outstanding recall is a reason to walk away

An outstanding recall is not, on its own, a bad sign. It is a manufacturer-issued fix for a fault that has been identified and has a remedy. But there are good reasons to step back:

• The manufacturer has said not to drive the car. DVSA's code of practice says that for a stop-drive recall there is an immediate threat to safety, "so the vehicle must not be driven". GOV.UK's recall page is blunter: if your vehicle has a serious safety defect, "You must not drive the vehicle." Do not buy a car like this unless the work has been done first. Do not drive it home.
• The seller cannot or will not tell you. A seller who dodges a simple question about a safety recall is likely to dodge others.
• The paperwork is vague and so is the car. An unfixed recall alongside gaps in the service history, a mismatch between VIN and V5C, or inconsistent mileage is a pile-up of warning signs, not a single issue.
• You cannot get the work done. If the manufacturer cannot give you a date or a remedy, think hard about whether you want that uncertainty.

Dealer or private sale: what your rights look like

A recall is not the same thing as a fault in your particular car, and whether it affects your rights depends on the facts. What can be said with confidence:

• From a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. Under section 9, goods must be of satisfactory quality, and the aspects a reasonable person would consider include safety. If the dealer told you about the recall before you bought, section 9(4) means you generally cannot rely on it later as a quality problem. Under section 22, the short-term right to reject lasts 30 days, starting the day after you take ownership and delivery. Whether an unfixed recall makes a particular car unsatisfactory depends on what the recall is and the circumstances, so it is not a guaranteed route to a refund.
• From a private seller, you have fewer rights. The satisfactory quality rules do not apply, but the car must match how it was described, including in the advert and messages, and the seller must have the right to sell it (Sale of Goods Act 1979, sections 12 and 13). If the advert says there are no outstanding recalls and that is untrue, keep the advert and messages. Citizens Advice's guidance on problems with a used car also notes you cannot claim for a fault that was fully explained to you before you bought, so get the recall status settled and written down before you pay.
• If you want it done before purchase, say so and get it in writing. A dealer can agree to complete the recall work as a condition of sale. Our guide to private seller versus dealer purchases sets out the wider differences.

If you already own the car

Owners meet this problem from the other side.

Why you may not have had the letter

GOV.UK says that if your vehicle is recalled for a safety reason, you will usually be sent a letter by the manufacturer telling you why, what to do next and who to contact. DVSA's code of practice says manufacturers may ask DVLA to help locate the names and addresses of registered keepers, subject to data protection rules. In other words, the notice goes to the registered keeper on record.

That has a practical consequence if you bought the car second-hand. A letter sent before you became the keeper went to the previous keeper's address. If the previous owner moved, threw it away or never passed it on, you may never have seen it. GOV.UK also notes that you will not get a letter if the manufacturer does not have your contact details.

So if you have bought a used car in the last few years, do not assume no news means no recall. Check now.

What to do

1. Make sure DVLA has you as the keeper. GOV.UK's buying steps cover registering the vehicle in your name once you have bought it. Manufacturers commonly use DVLA's keeper record to find owners.
2. Run the check. Use our free recall check with your registration, then the GOV.UK recall check for the detail.
3. Book the work. Contact a franchised dealer for the make, quote the registration and VIN, and ask to book the recall. You do not need to have bought the car from that dealer. The notice, or the manufacturer, will say who to contact.
4. Keep the paperwork. Ask for a job card or invoice that names the recall. It is evidence for your own records and for whoever buys the car from you next.

Why you should not leave it

GOV.UK is plain about your responsibility. You are legally responsible for making sure your vehicle is kept in a safe condition and is safe to drive whenever you drive it. If you do not get the vehicle inspected and fixed, GOV.UK says you could affect any insurance claim you make and put yourself and others at serious risk. It also says you can be fined up to £2,500, banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. That penalty applies in general. An outstanding recall is not an offence in itself, but driving a car whose defect makes it dangerous can be.

GOV.UK does not say an outstanding recall automatically invalidates your insurance, and we are not saying that either. It says that ignoring a safety recall could affect a claim. Have it done.

If you find a serious safety problem yourself

GOV.UK's guidance says to report a serious safety defect to the manufacturer immediately. If you are not happy with how the manufacturer is dealing with your report, tell DVSA, which will investigate the issue with the manufacturer and tell you what action is being taken.

GOV.UK describes a serious safety defect as something about the way the vehicle is designed or made that is likely to cause injury or death and that happens suddenly and without warning. It does not count as a serious safety defect if it can be found during routine maintenance and servicing, if you are warned about it by warning lights, noticeable changes in handling or unusual noises, or if it was caused by misuse such as overloading. To report one to DVSA you will need the registration, make and model, year of manufacture, current mileage, engine type and gearbox type, plus photos if you have them.

Recalls and the MOT

An outstanding recall is not a listed MOT failure item for cars. DVSA's MOT inspection manual for private passenger and light commercial vehicles sets out what testers inspect and what counts as a failure. We went through every section of the car manual and found no item for an outstanding manufacturer recall. A car with an unfixed recall can therefore still pass its MOT, provided the things the tester does inspect are in order.

Two things to keep in mind:

• A passed MOT says nothing about recalls. It tells you the car met the minimum standard on the day. It is not evidence that the recall work has been done.
• GOV.UK says the MOT certificate might tell you about a recall, but that depends on the manufacturer. Do not rely on it as a recall check.

There is also a related point on GOV.UK's page about faults registered with DVSA: it says that not getting a registered fault fixed could mean your vehicle fails its next MOT, and its example is a wrong VIN put on the vehicle by the manufacturer. That is a specific registered fault, not a general rule that recalls fail MOTs.

MOT history is still worth reading for a different reason. A pattern of repeat advisories on a safety-related part is something to ask the seller about. Our MOT history check guide shows how to read one.

What a recall check cannot tell you

A clean recall result is good news about one thing. It is silent on other serious problems. The recall status comes from DVSA records, and it does not show:

• Outstanding finance. A car can have no recalls and still be owned by a finance company. See our guide to buying a car with outstanding finance and the outstanding finance check.
• Insurance write-offs. Whether a car was declared a total loss and repaired is held on insurance records. See our guide to checking whether a car has been written off and the write-off check.
• Stolen status. See our stolen car check guide and the stolen car check.
• Mileage history. MOT readings show some of it, and our mileage check guide explains how to spot a clocked car. There is also a mileage check page.

Our free check does not include finance, write-off or stolen checks. The full Carhealth report adds outstanding finance, stolen records, insurance write-off records (where the insurer recorded them), plate changes, number of previous keepers, valuation and more, and the report also lists outstanding manufacturer recalls. You can see what it looks like in the sample report, or read about the full car history check.

For the full buying process, our used car buying checklist and complete used car buying guide pull it together. If you want to see what recalls DVSA has on record for a specific make, our car checks by make pages list them.

FAQ

How do I check a car for recalls by registration?

Enter the registration on our free recall check to see whether DVSA records an outstanding recall (a yes, a no, or no answer), then use GOV.UK's recall check with the same registration to see the recall details. For cars, GOV.UK says you can use the registration number to view safety recalls that have not been checked or fixed. You do not need the VIN.

Is a car recall check free?

Yes. The recall status in our free recall check and the GOV.UK recall check are both free. A full history check, which adds finance, stolen and write-off records, is a separate paid report.

Who pays for a recall repair?

Normally the manufacturer. GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall. The notice or the manufacturer will tell you who to contact, and a franchised dealer for the make will normally be able to arrange the work.

Does an outstanding recall mean the car fails its MOT?

No. An outstanding recall is not an item in DVSA's MOT inspection manual for cars, so a car can pass its MOT with one outstanding. The MOT and the recall system are separate. Do not treat a pass as proof the recall work has been done.

What does it mean if the recall status says "unavailable"?

It means DVSA gave no definite recall answer, so it is not a pass and it is not a fail (see what it means when there is no recall answer). Check with the GOV.UK recall check and ask a franchised dealer to look the car up by VIN.

Should I buy a used car that has an outstanding recall?

It depends on what the recall is for. Many are routine, free repairs, and the car is fine once the work is done. But if the manufacturer has said the car must not be driven, do not buy it until the work has been completed. Ask the seller whether it has been done, ask for paperwork, and get a franchised dealer to confirm by VIN.

I bought my car second-hand and never got a recall letter. Why?

The letter goes to the registered keeper on record. GOV.UK says you will usually be sent a letter if your vehicle is recalled for a safety reason, but one sent before you became the keeper would have gone to the previous keeper. Check your car now with the free recall check and the GOV.UK recall check, and book any outstanding work with a franchised dealer.

Recall information changes as manufacturers issue new notices, so check the registration again close to the time you buy. Official and legal points come from GOV.UK, DVSA, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Citizens Advice.