Collection

Vehicle recalls and safety defects

Guidance and forms for recalls and safety defects, download recall data, and issues which could result in a safety issue occurring if they are not fixed.

Published 17 July 2013
Last updated 21 July 2017 — see all updates

• From: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Check if a vehicle, part or accessory has been recalled

You can check if a vehicle, part or accessory has been recalled because of a serious safety problem.

You need to get it fixed or replaced by the manufacturer if there’s a problem. You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts.

Find out more about vehicle recalls and faults

You can also download a list of all recall information since 1992 if you’re researching vehicle recalls.

Report a serious safety defect

If you find a serious defect that affects the safety of your vehicle, one of its parts, or an accessory, report it to the manufacturer immediately.

Tell the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you’re not happy with how the manufacturer is dealing with your report.

Report a serious safety defect

Registered vehicle issues

These bulletins sets out vehicle issues that fall outside of the scope of a safety recall.

These are issues which could result in a safety issue occurring in the future if they aren’t fixed.

• Registered vehicle issues, January 2016 to June 2016
  • 12 August 2016
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, July 2015 to December 2015
  • 18 January 2016
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, January 2015 to June 2015
  • 28 July 2015
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, July 2014 to December 2014
  • 13 February 2015
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, January 2014 to June 2014
  • 15 July 2014
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, July 2013 to December 2013
  • 15 January 2014
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, January 2013 to June 2013
  • 18 July 2013
  • Guidance
• Registered vehicle issues, January 2008 to December 2012
  • 8 April 2014
  • Guidance

Codes of practice

The agreed codes of practice between the government and vehicle industry on how vehicle recalls and safety defects are dealt with.

• Vehicle safety defects and recalls: code of practice
  • 4 November 2019
  • Guidance
• Safety defects and recalls in the vehicle aftermarket: code of practice
  • 8 November 2013
  • Guidance

Industry and manufacturer guides

How manufacturers should recall vehicles, and how the used vehicle industry should deal with recalled vehicles when selling them on.

• Recall vehicles, parts or accessories in the UK
  • 9 May 2014
  • Guidance
• Selling vehicles, parts or accessories affected by safety recalls
  • 19 July 2013
  • Guidance

Posters

• Vehicle recalls and faults poster
  • 21 July 2017
  • Promotional material

Published 17 July 2013
Last updated 21 July 2017 + show all updates

1. 21 July 2017

   Added 'Vehicle recalls and faults poster' to the document collection.

2. 12 August 2016

   Added 'Vehicle manufacturers' non-code actions, January 2016 to June 2016' to the document collection.

3. 28 July 2015

   Vehicle manufacturers' non-code actions, January 2015 to June 2015 has now been added.

4. 8 November 2013

   The 'Consumers' guide to vehicle safety recalls' has been added to the document collection.

5. 17 July 2013

   First published.