Millions of potentially faulty vehicles ‘go unchecked’ despite safety recalls

More than 3.2 million cars and vans were not rectified after recalls between 2018 and 2023, according to new figures released via a Freedom of Information request.

Failure to maintain customer relationships means that millions of faulty – or even potentially unsafe - cars and vans are on the road, despite being subject to a safety recall.

Data experts from Auto Data Solutions (ADS) reveal that 3,252,696 cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) recalled between 2018 and 2023 were never checked by franchise dealers. However, they suggest that the total number of unchecked vehicles is even higher.

Currently, a missed recall is recorded as an ‘advisory’ during MOT. However, the Government is understood to be considering making it an automatic failure.

Jon Sheard, operations director at ADS, said: “Although a total number of more than three million outstanding safety recalls is massive, the real figure is almost certainly much higher, taking into account the years before and since the period in question.”

A separate study from vehicle history checking service CarVertical, published in January, showed that almost three-quarters (72%) of cars in the UK recalled for safety or mechanical issues remain on the roads with unresolved problems.

The study, which reviewed vehicle history reports from January 2023 to September 2024, found that only 28% of recalled vehicles in the UK have had their defects addressed. 

Many of these recalls involve critical safety components such as airbags, brakes, and electrical systems. While many factory defects are minor, some can pose safety risks, making it inadvisable to drive the vehicle.

Despite this, the UK had the lowest recall rate among the 26 countries studied, with just 3.1% of cars being recalled at least once. The highest recall rates were seen in Portugal, followed by Greece and Spain.