Safety recall check

Quickly discover if a used car has any outstanding safety recalls from the manufacturer. We’re the only service that checks against the actual number plate of the car you’re interested in.

See if a recall is outstanding or has already been sorted by the manufacturer

We analyse more than just make and model for precise results

What is a safety recall check?

Cars are complex machines made up of thousands of parts. Any of those parts could fail, which is why recalls have been issued for problems such as:

✔ Brake failure

✔Airbag issues

✔ Fuel leaks

✔ Electrical short circuits

✔ Glass roofs shattering or detaching

✔ Tow bars detaching

✔ Lighting failures

✔ Instrument glitches

✔ Pedals detaching

A safety recall check in our report includes:

✔ Outstanding safety recalls: We instantly check the vehicle’s registration number against official manufacturer recall databases to identify any unresolved safety issues.

✔ Recall status: Know whether a recall is currently active and requires attention.

✔ Recall reason: Our system also indicates which area of the vehicle has been deemed unsafe by the manufacturer, giving you a clear picture.

✔ Over 80 data points: Get crucial information that can stop you from falling for a scam. Our report uncovers scrapped status, insurance write-offs, outstanding finance and much more.

hpi check® - The car check trusted by millions

“Saw the car I wanted, checked the car through your website, and how relieved I was that I did check its history. It was an insurance write-off, and the mileage was incorrect. Saved me from a very bad situation, and having a conman making my life a misery. Money well spent. Thanks”

“We used HPI check because we trusted their information on a used car that we wanted to purchase. In the world of used cars this proved to be invaluable advice, we would recommend anyone thinking of buying a quality used car to use this service.”

“Using HPI Check is, for me, an essential part of buying a car. Unlike some other aspects of buying a car, this one is straightforward, quick, and given the potential should things not be in order, it is excellent value for money. It also means that I trust the many other offers that come through HPI Check. Excellent!”

“Informative and accurate. Good service.”

Why should I get a vehicle safety recall check?

Don’t underestimate the importance of a safety recall check when buying a used car. Overlooking this crucial step could expose you to significant risks and potential headaches:

✔ Prioritise your safety: Unresolved safety recalls can involve critical defects that could lead to accidents and injuries for you, your passengers, and other road users.

✔ Protect your investment: Sorting out safety recalls promptly, as they’re the manufacturer’s responsibility, can prevent potential further damage and maintain the vehicle’s integrity.

✔ Avoid legal complications: Driving a vehicle with an outstanding safety recall might have unforeseen legal or insurance implications in the event of a prang.

✔ Ensure manufacturer accountability: Knowing about a recall empowers you to ensure the manufacturer fulfils their obligation to rectify the safety issue free of charge.

✔ Save time and hassle: Discovering a recall after your purchase can lead to inconvenient trips to the dealership and potential delays. Checking beforehand saves you this bother.

Vehicle safety recalls are more common than you think! In a typical year, more than 1 million cars are affected by a recall, with over 150 recalls issued. Since the start of 2014, pretty much every major car maker in the UK has issued some kind of recall.

Car Type	Recalls
Audi recalls	3
BMW recalls	9
Citroën recalls	26
Fiat recalls	15
Ford recalls	10
Hyundai recalls	4
Kia recalls	3
Land Rover recalls	16
Mercedes recalls	41
Mini recalls	2

Car Type	Recalls
Mitsubishi recalls	18
Nissan recalls	10
Peugeot recalls	26
Renault recalls	17
Seat recalls	2
Skoda recalls	2
Toyota recalls	24
Vauxhall recalls	23
Volkswagen recalls	13
Volvo recalls	10

How much does a car safety recall check cost?

The vital safety recall check is an integral part of our comprehensive hpi check® report, priced at just £19.99. This single, affordable check gives you access to over 80 pieces of essential vehicle history data, empowering you to make a well-informed decision.

For those evaluating multiple vehicles, our MultiCheck package offers three full hpi checks® for £29.99, providing significant savings while prioritising safety across your options. We believe that access to comprehensive safety information shouldn’t break the bank.

We also offer a basic vehicle report for £9.99, however, this does not include a safety recall check. You also won’t benefit from our £30,000 data guarantee.

Why choose hpi for a safety recall check?

When it comes to something as critical as safety, you need a provider you can trust. Here’s why hpi check® is the superior choice for your vehicle safety recall needs:

✔ Uniquesafety recall check: We stand apart by checking recall information against the vehicle’s specific registration number, guaranteeing the most accurate results for the exact car you’re considering.

✔ Comprehensive vehicle history: The safety recall check is seamlessly integrated into our full hpi check®, providing you with a complete picture of the vehicle’s background, including finance, accident history, and more.

✔ Industry-leading expertise: With over 80 years of experience, hpi is the pioneer of vehicle history checks and a name synonymous with trust and accuracy. We are the official hpi check®.

✔ Backed by our guarantee: Our confidence in the accuracy of our data is reflected in our £30,000 data guarantee, offering you financial security.

✔ Easy and instant: Getting a safety recall check is a doddle and quick as a flash. Simply enter the vehicle’s registration number and receive your comprehensive report straight away.

✔ Customer support in the UK: Contact us to get help with your report seven days a week

Buy smarter with a car safety recall check today

Don’t take any chances when purchasing a used car. A quick and easy safety recall check with hpi check® provides you with essential information to ensure your safety and peace of mind.

Visit our knowledge hub for more information on what to look out for when you buy a used car.

Safety recall check FAQs

What is a vehicle recall?

A vehicle recall is a campaign actioned by a manufacturer to recall a vehicle to be repaired for safety reasons, as part of the DVSA safety recall scheme.

Is my car safe to drive if it’s recalled?

The recalls we check for are always safety related but don’t assume your car is suddenly a rolling death trap. Most cars recalled are being checked in case there’s a problem – not because there definitely is one.

What if I ignore the recall?

There’s no legal obligation for you to act, but if you were to be involved in a crash because of mechanical failure some tough questions might be asked, not least of all by the police and your insurance company.

How many cars does a recall affect?

Some recalls affect just a handful of cars; single figures in some cases. Others affect tens of thousands of cars (or even more). The biggest will affect multiple models within a manufacturer’s range, often because of the same faulty component being used across all of these ranges. It might be a weak steering rack, faulty fuse box design or problematic shock absorbers – or any number of other components.

Are all cars recalled at some point?

Not always. Some manufacturers will issue a TSB instead of a full recall.

So what’s a TSB then?

If a fault is relatively minor a car maker might issue dealers with a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) instead of issuing a recall. TSBs aren’t made public so it allows cars to be fixed when the car goes in for servicing, without making things official. There’s no way of knowing what TSBs have been issued by a car maker or which are applicable to your car, but if you have your car serviced outside the official dealer network these minor issues won’t get fixed.

How does a manufacturer know which cars to recall?

Recalls are normally issued because of either a design or manufacturing fault. In the case of the former a component might need to be redesigned (to be stronger for example) so any example of the car could be subject to a problem. But where the fault is one of manufacturing, it may be that a machine in the factory hadn’t been set correctly for a few days, so only cars made on those days are affected. A typical issue here will be nuts or bolts not being tightened up correctly.

Will a recall affect the value of my car?

Not at all, because it’s unlikely that any potential buyer would even think about whether or not your car has been recalled. But if they do ask, just say that it’s been fixed so there’s no problem. Remember, most parts replaced in a recall campaign are effectively service items; they’re not structural.