Millions of Potentially Unsafe Vehicles on UK Roads Due to Unaddressed Safety Recalls
A new investigation has revealed that millions of vehicles on UK roads are potentially unsafe because dealerships are failing to notify customers about crucial safety recalls. Data experts Auto Data Solutions (ADS) conducted the investigation and found that over 3.2 million vehicles that were subject to safety recalls between 2018 and 2023 have not been rectified.
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request, suggest the actual number of uncorrected vehicles could be even higher. ADS has warned that this issue will likely worsen unless dealerships significantly improve their customer contact management systems.
Jon Sheard, Operations Director at ADS, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Failure to keep track of customers not only lets down the manufacturers who are fulfilling their duty of care by notifying authorities and drivers to potential issues but also motorists who have a right to know that their vehicle should be professionally checked.”
The Problem: Dealers Failing to Maintain Customer Relationships
The core issue is that dealerships aren’t effectively maintaining customer relationships, leaving many drivers unaware that their vehicles are subject to recalls, despite manufacturers issuing notices. This breakdown in communication increases the risk that drivers are unknowingly operating potentially dangerous vehicles.
Vehicle recalls are a common practice, with safety recalls being the most critical, demanding immediate attention. The DVSA has the authority to compel car manufacturers to issue recalls when safety concerns arise. Voluntary recalls can also be issued by carmakers for non-safety-related issues.
Outstanding Safety Recalls: A Breakdown by Year
The number of vehicles with outstanding safety recalls between 2018 and 2023 demonstrates the scale of the problem:
- 2018: 729,876 (of a total 4,117,940 recalls)
- 2019: 422,729 (of a total 2,191,143 recalls)
- 2020: 467,345 (of a total 2,130,692 recalls)
- 2021: 498,381 (of a total 2,856,141 recalls)
- 2022: 739,705 (of a total 2,211,061 recalls)
- 2023: 394,660 (of a total 1,373,258 recalls)
Source: DVSA data provided to ADS via FOI request
Severity and Impact of Recalls
The severity of recalls can vary, from minor adjustments to ‘Stop Drive’ orders, where vehicles must not be driven until repairs are complete. An example of a recent recall is Ford’s safety recall for its Kuga plug-in hybrid family car due to a battery short-circuit risk. Letters were sent to more than 26,000 affected Kuga PHEV owners.
Failing to address a safety recall can have serious consequences. Drivers could invalidate their insurance if a collision is caused by a fault that should have been remedied. Furthermore, the police can issue fines of up to £2,500, driving bans, and penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition due to an unaddressed safety recall.
Why Recall Notices are Being Missed
When manufacturers issue a safety recall, they typically notify customers by post, directing them to contact their local dealer for a free repair. However, outdated or inaccurate customer databases at dealerships can lead to notifications going unreceived. Customers may also not receive notices due to changes of address or simply not opening the mail. This failure in communication leaves drivers unaware of potential safety issues with their vehicles.
ADS has advised that missed safety recalls could result in a sudden increase in vehicles needing checks or repairs if proposed government rule changes come into effect. A missed recall is currently recorded as an ‘advisory’ during an MOT test, but it could become an automatic failure. This could overwhelm dealer workshops and potentially leave many drivers unable to use their cars.
How to Check if Your Car Has an Outstanding Recall
To determine if your vehicle has any outstanding safety recalls, you can use the following methods:
- Visit the GOV.UK website and utilize the MOT history check tool using your vehicle’s registration number.
- Check the government website for a simple lookup of safety recalls.
- Go to your car manufacturer’s website or contact a local dealer for assistance.
