Nearly 75% of recalled vehicles in the UK remain unfixed. If a safety or mechanical fault causes a crash, owners could be held liable—and their insurance may be invalidated.
A study by CarVertical, reviewing UK vehicle history reports from January 2023 to September 2024, found that only 28% of recalled cars had been repaired. Many of these recalls involve critical safety components like airbags, brakes, and electrical systems.
As cars become more advanced, recalls are becoming more frequent. The UK has one of the lowest recall compliance rates in Europe, meaning millions of potentially unsafe cars are still on the road.
Could an Outstanding Recall Cause an MOT Fail?
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) now integrates recall information into its digital MOT system, advising owners to have their vehicle repaired. While outstanding recalls do not yet trigger an MOT failure, this could change. Experts warn that unresolved recalls could become an automatic fail, affecting millions of vehicles.
How to Check If Your Car Has an Outstanding Recall
Owners can check their vehicle’s recall status using:
- Regit's recall checker
- Manufacturer websites
- Local dealerships
Manufacturers notify owners of recalls and cover repair costs. However, if a car has changed hands and records haven’t been updated, the current owner may be unaware of an existing recall.
The Insurance Risk of Ignoring a Recall
By law, owners must ensure their vehicle is roadworthy. Ignoring a recall could lead to legal consequences, including:
- A fine of up to £2,500
- A driving ban
- Three penalty points
The Growing Scale of Recalls
Recalls in the UK have surged tenfold in the last 30 years. By August 2024, over 1.1 million cars had been recalled. Major recalls include the Takata airbag scandal, affecting over 100 million airbags worldwide. Despite efforts by brands like BMW, Honda, and Toyota, some of these faulty airbags may still be in use.
Which Car Brands Issued the Most Recalls?
In 2024, BMW led UK recalls with nearly 640 notices, including over 500,000 linked to Takata airbags in aftermarket steering wheels. Mercedes-Benz followed with 340,000 recalls, affecting cars up to six years old. Some recalls even involved vehicles built 20 years ago, such as the Audi A4 (2004 models).
Top 10 most recalled in 2024
| Make | Number of vehicles recalled |
| BMW | 637,317 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ CARS | 339,972 |
| KIA | 185,698 |
| AUDI | 172,999 |
| LAND ROVER | 172,473 |
| VW | 82,379 |
| VAUXHALL | 76,470<br> |
| FORD | 67,514 |
| HONDA MOTOR CO | 66,638 |
| HYUNDAI | 51,935 |
Check if your car has been recalled here...
What’s Next?
The DVSA is monitoring the effectiveness of recall notifications and may introduce stricter measures if current efforts fail. If unresolved recalls do become an MOT failure, workshops could face a flood of repairs, creating delays for motorists.
Ignoring a recall isn’t just a risk—it could impact your safety, finances, and insurance. If you haven’t checked your car’s recall status, now is the time to do it.
