Millions of vehicles have been caught breaking major safety rules while travelling on UK roads despite being recalled by carmakers.
A new report revealed that more than 3.2 million cars and vans recalled between 2018 and 2023 have not had the issues fixed.
Experts have now warned that the total number of unchecked vehicles is even higher and will increase until dealers manage their customer contact management more effectively.
According to reports, roughly 14.8 million new vehicles were identified by manufacturers as requiring dealer attention between 2018 and 2023.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
Around 3.2 million vehicles were recalled between 2018 and 2023
THE CAR EXPERT/PA
Jon Sheard, Operations Director of Auto Data Solutions, 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.
"The fact that almost a quarter of safety recalls are never properly dealt with is the biggest wake-up call yet for dealers to begin taking the maintenance of customer databases more seriously."
He warned that failure to keep track of customers is a breach of the manufacturer's "duty of care" by failing to notify authorities and drivers of potential issues.
Manufacturers normally notify affected customers by post, advising them to contact their local franchise dealer.
However, some dealers take a more proactive approach to contact customers, but many wait until a vehicle is brought in for servicing before carrying out the necessary check.
Sheard added: "If dealers solved this problem it would benefit their customers, their manufacturer partners and themselves, simply by keeping track of customers properly.
"Last year we reported that up to three-quarters of customer records, in the typical dealer database that we analyse, contain inaccuracies. This can be solved quite easily by more consistent monitoring of database accuracy than many dealers routinely undertake."
Sheard stated that with increasingly variable and extended service intervals, particularly for electric vehicles, a "dealer may not see a vehicle for two years or more".
At present, a missed recall is recorded as an "advisory" during MOTs which are early warnings that something might fail in the next MOT.
However, experts have suggested that it may become an automatic failure under rule changes now being considered by the Government.
ADS told the industry that dealer workshops could be overwhelmed by demand which may not be met if the changes were introduced for MOT tests.
The business cautioned dealers that if the MOT rules were to change, millions of inconvenienced and angry drivers could be unable to drive their cars due to being unaware of the recalls.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Drivers who miss recall notices are recorded as an 'advisory' during MOTs
GETTY
Number of outstanding safety recalls, according to the DVSA
2018 - 729,876 (of 4,117,940 recalls)
2019 - 422,729 (of 2,191,143 recalls)
2020 - 467,345 (of 2,130,692 recalls)
2021 - 498,381 (of 2,856,141 recalls)
2022 - 739,705 (of 2,211,061 recalls)
2023 - 394,660 (of 1,373,258 recalls)
