DVSA issues urgent vehicle recall warning as drivers face fines amid MOT certificate update

A recent update to MOT certificates now allows drivers to see if their vehicle is part of an outstanding recall.

The MOT test certificate continues to contain key information including the registration number, make and model, the mileage and the vehicle category.

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If a vehicle is part of an outstanding recall, drivers will receive a notification on their MOT certificate, warning them of a potential issue.

It states that the vehicle is part of a recall and tells the driver to contact their nearest DVSA dealership for new information and to arrange a free repair.

Drivers will also need to contact their vehicle manufacturer to find out what the fault is and what they can do next to remedy the issue.

In the vast majority of cases, drivers will not need to pay for any of the repairs to their vehicles, although this could be different in some extreme cases.

Taking to social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, the DVSA said: "If your vehicle has an outstanding recall, it will appear on your MOT certificate.

"Your MOT tester can tell you what the fault is [and] who you should contact. Vehicle recalls help protect vehicle owners and road users from unsafe products."

If a vehicle has a serious safety defect, the manufacturer will write to owners informing them what to do, as well as urging them not to drive the vehicle.

This will normally happen far sooner than drivers finding out through a vehicle recall on their MOT certificate.

According to the DVSA, motorists will be told by their manufacturer if a car has been recalled for any reason other than safety.

Drivers are able to check if their car has an outstanding safety recall with their car registration number or if they know the manufacturer, model and year of manufacture.

The GOV.UK website can also be used to check for any recalls of vehicles, parts and accessories. It will tell them why it's being recalled, what to do next and who they should contact.

Britons are legally responsible for making sure that their vehicle is kept in a safe condition and safe to drive whenever they take it on the road.

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Motorists who are using a vehicle in a dangerous condition can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and receive three penalty points on their licence.