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How to check if a car has been recalled

RegVerdict guide·5 min read·Reviewed 17 June 2026

What a safety recall is, how to check a car for an outstanding one for free, and how to get it fixed.

A safety recall is when a manufacturer finds a fault on a model and arranges to fix it free of charge. It is one of the easiest things to check before buying a used car, and one of the most overlooked, because the previous owner may simply never have booked the work in.

What a recall actually means

A recall is the maker saying a fault is serious enough to put right at their cost. The repair is free, there is no time limit, and it applies however old the car is and whoever owns it. Recalls range from a minor fix to something that needs urgent attention, so the detail matters.

How to check a car for an outstanding recall

  • The official checker. The free gov.uk recall service lets you look up a registration, or search by make and model, and describes the fault and the remedy.
  • The MOT history. The MOT history service shows a prompt when a vehicle has an outstanding recall.
  • A RegVerdict check. We read the recall status from the official MOT record and show it in the verdict, alongside mileage and MOT health, so it is not something you have to remember to check separately.
A recall is not the same as a common faultA recall is a specific, manufacturer-led fix for a known safety issue. The everyday weak points of a model, like a timing chain or a DPF, are different: they are not recalls and you fix them at your own cost. We cover those separately under model reliability and the known faults on each report.

Why it matters when buying used

An outstanding recall on a used car usually just means it slipped through, but occasionally it points to a serious unfixed safety issue. Because the fix is free, there is no reason to leave it. Check before you buy, and if there is one outstanding, you can either ask the seller to have it done or book it in yourself once you own the car.

How to get a recall fixed

  1. Confirm the recall on the official checker and read what it covers.
  2. Contact a franchised dealer for that make with the registration and VIN.
  3. Book the work in. It is free, and you do not need to be the original owner.

Run a RegVerdict check to see the recall status along with the full MOT and mileage picture, then confirm the detail on the official checker. Our used car buying checklist runs through everything else to look at before you buy.

Common questions
How do I check if a car has been recalled?
Use the free gov.uk recall checker with the registration, or search it by make and model. The MOT history service also shows a prompt when a vehicle has an outstanding recall. A RegVerdict report shows the outstanding-recall status as part of the verdict, so you see it alongside the mileage and MOT picture.
Is it free to fix a recall?
Yes. A manufacturer safety recall is repaired free of charge, regardless of the car's age or who owns it, and there is no time limit. You book it in with a franchised dealer for that make.
Can I drive a car with an outstanding recall?
Usually yes, unless the manufacturer or the recall notice says otherwise, but you should get it fixed as soon as you can. Recalls range from minor to serious, so check what the specific recall is about and follow the advice given.
Does an MOT check for recalls?
An outstanding recall does not by itself fail an MOT, but since 2018 testers see a prompt when a vehicle has one, and it is noted. The MOT and a recall are separate things: one is about roadworthiness on the day, the other is a manufacturer fixing a known fault.
How do I find out what a recall is for?
The free gov.uk recall checker describes each recall, the risk and the remedy. A franchised dealer can confirm using the VIN whether a specific car is affected and what work is needed. RegVerdict shows whether a recall is outstanding; the official checker and the dealer hold the full detail.

Check before you commit

Enter a registration for an instant, evidenced verdict on mileage, MOT history and known faults.

Keep reading
Write-off categoriesWhat Cat A, B, S and N actually mean, whether the car is safe to buy, and how hard to negotiate.Car clockingHow odometer fraud works, the tell-tale signs, and how to check a mileage history for rollbacks.Outstanding financeWhy money still owed on a car can become your problem, and how to protect yourself before you pay.

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