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My Car Has Been Recalled: What to Do
If your vehicle is recalled for a safety reason, the manufacturer will usually write to you saying what to do and who to contact. You will not usually have to pay for repairs or parts under a safety recall. You are legally responsible for keeping your vehicle safe, and ignoring a recall could affect an insurance claim.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Safety Recalls
What Happens
If your vehicle is recalled for a safety reason, you will usually get a letter from the manufacturer telling you what to do next and who to contact. You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall. You can check for recalls on GOV.UK, and an MOT certificate may show a safety recall. source
If You Ignore It
You are legally responsible for keeping your vehicle safe. Not getting it fixed could affect any insurance claim. You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. source
If the Fault Caused Problems
Quality and Description
Dealer sales: goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described (Consumer Rights Act 2015). If a car fails these tests you have a short-term right to reject and get a full refund within 30 days, counted from when ownership, delivery and any installation are complete (s.22). source
First 6 Months
For the first 6 months a fault is presumed to have been there at delivery unless the dealer proves otherwise; after 6 months you must show the fault was already present (s.19(15)). source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayBook a recall repairContact the manufacturer or dealer named in the letter
- 8 weeksComplain to a dealer before using The Motor OmbudsmanAllow the dealer 8 weeks to respond unless it has issued a final response earlier
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check whether your car is affected using the recall checker on GOV.UK.
Step 2 of 5
Contact the manufacturer or dealer named in the letter and book the repair.
Step 3 of 5
Ask for written confirmation that the recall work was done.
Step 4 of 5
If the recall fault caused other damage or costs, write to the dealer or manufacturer. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 5 of 5
If you have problems getting it done, complain to the dealer, then The Motor Ombudsman if it is accredited.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
The Motor Ombudsman
Dealer is accredited to one of its codes (for example Vehicle Sales Code) and you have given it 8 weeks or received a final response. It does not deal with car finance claims.
Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Free advice and referral to Trading Standards.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
If you have moved house, make sure your V5C address is up to date so recall letters reach you.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/vehicle-recalls-and-faults/recalled-vehicles-parts-accessories Checked 13 October 2026
- legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/22 Checked 12 October 2026
- legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/19 Checked 12 October 2026
- themotorombudsman.org/consumers/make-a-complaint Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/the-car-you-bought-is-still-on-hire-purchase Checked 12 October 2026