How do I check if my car has a recall?

Three ways: browse recalls for your make on recalls.ie's vehicle recalls list; compare your VIN against the affected range in the notice; and, for a definitive answer, give your registration or VIN to any franchised dealer for your make, who can check the manufacturer's database for outstanding recall work in minutes.

Can I check a car recall by registration or VIN?

Yes. Your VIN (the 17-character number on your Vehicle Registration Certificate, the base of the windscreen, or the driver's door frame) is the definitive identifier. A franchised dealer can run your registration or VIN against the manufacturer's recall database, and many manufacturers offer an online VIN recall checker on their Irish or UK website.

What does an "open recall" mean?

An open recall is a safety recall on your vehicle that hasn't yet been repaired. Once an authorised dealer completes the free recall work, the recall is closed. Second-hand and imported cars are the most likely to have open recalls, because the manufacturer's letter often never reaches the current owner.

How long do I have to get recall work done?

There's no strict deadline and the repair stays free indefinitely, but because recalls address a genuine safety risk you should book it as soon as possible. Contact any franchised dealer for your make to arrange it.

Do recalls apply to used and imported cars?

Yes. A recall applies to the affected vehicles themselves, not to a particular owner, so it carries over to used and imported cars. These are the cars most likely to have unrepaired recalls, since the official notification letter may never have reached you, which is why checking the VIN yourself matters.

How To Check If Your Car Has an Open Recall in Ireland

How to check if your car has an open recall in Ireland

Vehicle recalls are common, and the repair is always free. This guide shows how to find out if your car, van or motorbike is affected.

Quick answer: Browse recalls for your make on recalls.ie, or give your registration or VIN to any franchised dealer, who can check the manufacturer's database for outstanding recall work in minutes. Recall repairs are always free.

1. Browse recalls for your car's make

Start with our vehicle recalls list, which tracks every recall published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), covering cars, vans, motorbikes and commercial vehicles sold in Ireland. You can browse by brand, for example Toyota, Volvo or BMW, or search your model directly.

2. Check the affected build dates or VIN range

Vehicle recalls specify affected production periods or VIN ranges. Your VIN (a 17-character vehicle identification number) is on your Vehicle Registration Certificate, at the base of the windscreen, or on the driver's door frame. Compare it against the recall notice.

3. Ring your dealer with the registration or VIN

The definitive check: any franchised dealer for your car's make can run your VIN against the manufacturer's recall database in minutes and tell you about any outstanding recall work. Many manufacturers also offer an online VIN checker on their Irish or UK websites.

4. Get the work done (it's free)

Recall repairs are always carried out free of chargeby an authorised dealer, regardless of the car's age or how many owners it has had. The distributor writes to registered owners, but if you bought the car second-hand or imported it, the letter may never reach you, which is why checking yourself matters.

Buying a used car?

Make the recall check part of your pre-purchase routine: ask the seller whether recall work has been completed, and verify with a dealer using the VIN. An unrepaired safety recall is free to fix, but you want to know before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if my car has a recall?: Three ways: browse recalls for your make on recalls.ie's vehicle recalls list; compare your VIN against the affected range in the notice; and, for a definitive answer, give your registration or VIN to any franchised dealer for your make, who can check the manufacturer's database for outstanding recall work in minutes.
Can I check a car recall by registration or VIN?: Yes. Your VIN (the 17-character number on your Vehicle Registration Certificate, the base of the windscreen, or the driver's door frame) is the definitive identifier. A franchised dealer can run your registration or VIN against the manufacturer's recall database, and many manufacturers offer an online VIN recall checker on their Irish or UK website.
Is a car recall free to fix?: Yes. Safety recall repairs are always carried out free of charge by an authorised dealer, regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. You never pay for recall work.
What does an "open recall" mean?: An open recall is a safety recall on your vehicle that hasn't yet been repaired. Once an authorised dealer completes the free recall work, the recall is closed. Second-hand and imported cars are the most likely to have open recalls, because the manufacturer's letter often never reaches the current owner.
How long do I have to get recall work done?: There's no strict deadline and the repair stays free indefinitely, but because recalls address a genuine safety risk you should book it as soon as possible. Contact any franchised dealer for your make to arrange it.
Do recalls apply to used and imported cars?: Yes. A recall applies to the affected vehicles themselves, not to a particular owner, so it carries over to used and imported cars. These are the cars most likely to have unrepaired recalls, since the official notification letter may never have reached you, which is why checking the VIN yourself matters.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For authoritative guidance see the official bodies linked above, and always follow the instructions in the official recall notice.