Vehicle Recall Check
Does the car have an open safety recall?
Safety recalls for the vehicle and whether they've been fixed.
A vehicle recall check shows the manufacturer safety recalls issued for a specific car, such as the Takata airbag recalls. Recall repairs are free at an authorised dealer, but only if someone gets them done. A Comprehensive Plus report also shows whether the recall work has been carried out, where records exist.
What a MotorRegistry report shows
- Safety recalls issued for the vehicle, with the recall description in plain English Comprehensive & Plus
- Common problems documented for the make and model Comprehensive & Plus
- Recall repair and rectification status, where records exist Comprehensive Plus
- Service and maintenance history Comprehensive Plus
Every MotorRegistry report includes the official PPSR certificate plus finance owing, written-off, stolen and registration checks. See every tier side by side on the compare page.
What a vehicle recall check shows
Manufacturers issue a safety recall when a fault in a vehicle could cause injury, such as a faulty airbag inflator, a fuel leak or a brake defect. Recalls are published by the ACCC on Product Safety Australia, and the manufacturer writes to the registered owners of affected vehicles.
A recall usually applies to a range of VINs rather than every car of a model, so the useful question is whether it applies to the car you're looking at. A MotorRegistry Comprehensive or Comprehensive Plus report lists the recalls issued for the vehicle, with the description of each fault and the risk in plain English. Comprehensive reports also cover the common problems documented for the make and model.
Has the recall work been done?
Knowing a recall exists is not the same as knowing it's been fixed. Recall notices go to the address the manufacturer has on file, so cars that have changed hands or moved often miss them, and some owners never book the repair. Many vehicles covered by the Takata airbag recalls stayed on the road for years with the work outstanding.
A Comprehensive Plus report shows recall repair and rectification status where records exist, including the date the work was done. Where no record exists, the report's recall card has a button to ask the seller for evidence, such as the dealer invoice or a recall completion sticker.
If the car has an outstanding recall
- Recall repairs are free at the manufacturer's authorised dealers, whoever owns the car.
- Read the recall description before you drive the car. Some recalls, including certain Takata airbag recalls, came with advice not to drive the vehicle until it was repaired.
- Contact a dealer with the VIN to book the work. Parts for some recalls take time to arrive, so ask how long the wait is.
- An outstanding recall is a reasonable thing to raise when agreeing on a price, especially if the car can't be driven until it's fixed.
Other ways to check for recalls
You can search the ACCC's Product Safety Australia website by make and model, or contact the manufacturer or a dealer with the VIN. A MotorRegistry report brings the recall check together with the finance, written-off, stolen and registration checks, so you can see everything about the car in one place before you buy.
Vehicle Recall Check FAQ
How do I check if my car has a recall?
Enter the car's rego or VIN into a vehicle recall check. A MotorRegistry Comprehensive or Comprehensive Plus report lists the safety recalls issued for the vehicle. You can also search the ACCC's Product Safety Australia recalls website by make and model, or contact the manufacturer or a dealer with the VIN.
Are recall repairs free?
Yes. Manufacturers carry out safety recall repairs free of charge at their authorised dealers, whoever owns the car.
How do I know if a recall has already been fixed?
A list of recalls only tells you a recall was issued. A Comprehensive Plus report shows recall repair and rectification status where records exist, so you can see whether the work was done on this particular car. You can also ask the seller for the dealer's invoice, or check for a recall completion sticker, usually on the door jamb or under the bonnet.
Can I still buy a car with an outstanding recall?
Yes, and you can have the recall work done for free after you buy it. Some recalls, including certain Takata airbag recalls, came with instructions not to drive the vehicle until it was repaired, so read the recall details before you drive it home.
Why would a recall not have been done?
Recall notices go to the registered owner at the address the manufacturer has on file. Cars that have changed hands or moved house often miss the notice, and some owners never book the repair.
Check the car before you pay
Enter the rego or VIN to see what's on record for the vehicle.
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