MOT could soon see ANOTHER major update to address outstanding safety recalls

Safety chiefs to address 2.39 million UK cars that are subject to an outstanding safety recall

MOT could soon see ANOTHER major update to address outstanding safety recalls
Carmakers regularly issue safety recalls for their vehicles, addressing everything from faulty seatbelts and airbags, to fire risks and engine cut-out problems.

The DVSA is to work with Department for Transport “to determine how the MOT system can be adjusted to cover outstanding safety recalls”, it has emerged.

An online recall checker tool was launched by the DVSA in February 2018 but an estimated one in 13 cars in the UK is still subject to an outstanding recall.

To address the problem the agency has revealed that it is investigating whether the recall checker tool can be introduced as part of the MOT.

It comes less than 12-months after the MOT underwent one of the biggest updates in its near-60-year history.

Speaking to Auto Express, head of vehicle engineering at the DVSA, Neil Barlow said confirmed that the organisation plans to “work with the Department for Transport to determine how the MOT system can be adjusted to cover outstanding safety recalls in the future.

“It would make logical sense where appropriate for the MOT to be aligned with the safety recalls system.”

Currently there is no legal mandate for owners to ensure that there are no outstanding recalls on their car – although it is illegal for dealers to sell cars with outstanding recalls.

One model reported to be under consideration is the German equivalent to the MOT, which sees owners given a warning if their car has an outstanding recall when tested.

If the recall is not attended to by the time the car is retested, the car fails its next roadworthiness assessment.

Legislation changes

However, Barlow has said that “changes will need to be made to legislation” if the recall system is to be aligned with the MOT Testing Service.

Another issue the agency must overcome is the task of migrating the two separate systems so that they can work together and ensuring they remain up-to-date.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “Generally the recall system in the UK works quite well.

“[It] Sometimes goes wrong with change of ownership or non-notification of change of address.

“The MOT system should be used to flag up to owners recalls that haven’t been acted on, as advisory notifications”.

Edmund added that recalls “should only lead to an automatic fail if the recall fault is a major safety risk or has already been flagged up at a previous MOT.”

Should safety recalls be added to the MOT? Share your comments below.

Home Page Forums MOT could soon see ANOTHER major update to address outstanding safety recalls

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • #168872 Reply

    The DVSA is to work with Department for Transport “to determine how the MOT system can be adjusted to cover outstanding safety recalls”, it has emerged.

    An online recall checker tool was launched by the DVSA in February 2018 but an estimated one in 13 cars in the UK is still subject to an outstanding recall. To address the problem the agency has revealed that it is investigating whether the recall checker tool can be introduced as part of the MOT.

    [See the full post at: MOT could soon see ANOTHER major update to address outstanding safety recalls]

    #168893 Reply
    Dougal
    Guest

    It can take a while to get a recall done particularly if the original notice was years previously and unusual parts are required. It also requires a franchised dealer and they are reducing in number.
    I would suggest that a recall was an advisory item but if still not completed 1 year later automatically becomes a major fail.

    #168894 Reply
    Andy
    Guest

    I think that this would be a good thing to do, as long as it is done when you log on the car for the mot, and is not to long winded, a lot of customers cant be bothered to go to the dealers to have the work carried out, so this might just force them to do it for there own good, like the mot does with the repairs.

    #168898 Reply
    Christopher
    Guest

    Long over due and good idea as long as the system is integrated into the current IT system.

    #168900 Reply
    Peter Miles
    Guest

    A good idea in theory. In practice I have never had a customer go to the dealers for free recall work without coming back with a whole list of other items which need paid for attention urgently. I do warn my customers about this and will happily look at anything the dealer has reported. Generally nothing of concern at all!

    #168901 Reply
    Philip Dunmore
    Guest

    How would a tester know if a recall has been completed. We can check for outstanding recalls but as far as I know there is no way to check which vehicles have been done. Database would need to be updated by dealer or manufacturer. Sounds iffy to me…

    #168904 Reply
    AJS
    Guest

    If a recall isn’t flagged up as an advisory, there’s the risk of the customer going to a dealer for the fix and the MOT. Another loss of revenue for the independent.

    #168924 Reply
    Dougal
    Guest

    It is essential that recalls are an advisory (perhaps with a time limit).
    When a dealer carries out a recall it can be days or weeks before it appears on the manufacturer database.

    #169042 Reply
    Tom Pettitt
    Guest

    in theory ok but i have looked to see how easy it is to look up specific cars due in my workshop.
    cant find it on DVSA. so if i cant check a car when i book it in then it fails then customer waits 2 weeks for dealer and a list of other faults. meanwhile i have lost time and potentially customer has no mot. or does it fail next mot if recall not done. like a reminder. please put be right if i am wrong.
    Tom

    #169043 Reply
    Andy Reynolds
    Guest

    It would seem sensible to link recalls to the central computer alongside Ownership, Insurance, MOT and Tax.The new/owner could then be informed of outstanding safety recalls, this would then be the owners responsibility to have the recall carried out, this trial could then be followed if the owner does not have the recall carried out and continues to drive an unsafe vehicle. If it was on the computer base it would easily be flagged up to police or DVSA when doing vehicle checks

    #170112 Reply
    Dougal
    Guest
    • vehicleenquiry.gov.uk tells you if a vehicle has tax and MOT.
    • check.mot.service.gov.uk tells you if vehicle has MOT also MOT history and outstanding recalls.

    Why not merge the two sites so that all the info you need is in one place?

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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