A recall defect does not, on its own, make a car fail its MOT in Great Britain. The DVSA says an outstanding recall found at the test is added to the MOT certificate, and GOV.UK lists dangerous and major problems as the reasons a car fails. The nature of the recall matters most: if the manufacturer describes a serious safety defect, GOV.UK says you must not drive the vehicle, and the repair is normally free. This guide explains what the result means, when you may still drive, and what to do next.
How do I check whether my car has an open recall?
Start with the official recall checker on GOV.UK. If you have the registration number, enter it and the service shows any safety recall that has not been fixed, together with the car’s MOT history. Without the registration number, you need the manufacturer, model and year of manufacture instead.
The same checker covers motorcycles, quadricycles and motor trikes, buses, coaches and minibuses, lorries, caravans and horse boxes, again using the manufacturer, model and year of manufacture. Parts and accessories are checked separately. Child car seats, seat belts and harnesses, tyres, components and parts, and agricultural equipment are covered by the equipment checker, which asks only for the manufacturer and model.
Run the check before you book the MOT, not on the day of the test. Keep any letter from the manufacturer with your vehicle papers and bring it to the garage, so the repair can be matched to the recall on the result.
Why does an open recall appear at the MOT?
The DVSA receives recall information directly from manufacturers. In a bulletin dated 19 July 2023, the agency said it was extending access to this data, and that any outstanding recall found at an MOT test would be added to the MOT certificate. Online MOT history checks show a prompt for vehicles with an open recall, and MOT reminder messages carry the same prompt.
The data does not yet cover every vehicle. According to the DVSA in July 2023, manufacturers supplying daily data covered 47% of the vehicles with an outstanding recall, and the SMMT kept supplying information for the others. The practical lesson is that your MOT record can reveal an open recall even if you have not opened the manufacturer’s letter. Treat that entry as a safety warning, not a formality.
Does an open recall make my car fail its MOT?
The result depends on the defects found, so read it carefully. According to GOV.UK, a car fails when the test result lists dangerous or major problems. Minor problems and advisory notes do not cause a fail. An open recall is added to the certificate as recall information, so it appears on the printed document alongside the test items.
The DVSA and government have discussed making an unrepaired recall a reason for failure. Because this policy can change, check the current DVSA and GOV.UK guidance before your test, and ask the test station whether any recall affects your result. A pass with a recall line still means the recall has not been repaired. If you had the repair done shortly before the test, bring the invoice and ask the tester to note it.
When can I drive a car after a failed MOT?
A car that has failed may be driven away only if two conditions are met: your current MOT is still valid, and the test result lists no dangerous problem. If either condition is not met, the repairs must be carried out first. Even when you are allowed to drive the car, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times.
Driving a car with a dangerous problem can bring a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points. A major problem on its own does not stop you driving away while the MOT is valid, but that does not mean the car is safe. If you have any doubt about the brakes, steering, tyres or lights, arrange recovery instead.
When must I not drive a car with an open recall?
Not every recall concerns safety. For recalls that are not safety related, the manufacturer will notify you. For a serious safety defect, the manufacturer writes to the keeper with instructions, and GOV.UK states that you must not drive the vehicle. Follow that instruction, even if the car has just passed its MOT and no warning light is showing.
Arrange transport to the repair appointment, such as a recovery service or a lift, and ask the dealer for the repair date in writing. If no date is given, contact the manufacturer again and keep a note of each call. A recall that has not been fixed is not a reason to keep using the car.
Who pays for a recall repair?
The manufacturer is responsible for the recall. According to GOV.UK, the vehicle must be fixed or replaced by the manufacturer, and you will not usually have to pay for repairs or parts. Keep the manufacturer’s letter, the booking confirmation and any receipt for work carried out. If you are asked to pay for a recall repair, contact the manufacturer before agreeing to anything.
When you book, ask the manufacturer about transport to and from the appointment, so you know how the car will reach the workshop.
What happens to my MOT while the repair is pending?
If your MOT runs out while you wait for the repair, the rules change. You cannot drive or park the vehicle on the road once the MOT has expired. The only exceptions are driving to or from somewhere it is being repaired, and driving to a pre-arranged MOT test. Breaking this rule can bring a fine of up to £1,000, and you can be prosecuted.
Plan the order of events before you book. Arrange the recall repair first, then book the MOT test for when the work is finished. Until then, keep the car off the road unless you are travelling to a pre-arranged test or to a repair.
What steps should I take after a failed MOT with a recall?
- Read the printed document from the test station. Note which items are dangerous, major, minor or advisory, and whether recall information is included.
- Check the registration on the GOV.UK recall checker, and compare any result with the manufacturer’s letter.
- If the result lists a dangerous problem, or the manufacturer says not to drive, arrange transport rather than driving the car.
- Contact the manufacturer or an authorised repairer, book the recall repair and ask for the work to be recorded in writing.
- Book the MOT retest for after the repair is complete. If the certificate has expired, the car must not be driven except to or from the repair or a pre-arranged test.
- Keep the invoices, letters and the printed test document with your vehicle papers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a refusal certificate?
GOV.UK uses this name for the printed document you receive when a car fails its MOT. A car that passes receives a printed MOT certificate instead.
What should I do if I have not received a recall letter?
Check the registration on the GOV.UK recall checker. If it shows an open recall, contact the manufacturer directly through its official website, quoting the registration number, and ask what action is needed.
Can I drive the car to a garage for the recall repair?
Only if the recall does not involve a serious safety defect and the car is otherwise allowed to be driven. Where GOV.UK says you must not drive the vehicle, arrange transport instead, and confirm the route with the manufacturer or dealer.
