Vehicle recalls have increased tenfold in 30 years – ROB HULL says they should be welcomed rather than seen as a negative

Car recalls are ten times more common than in the 1990s, according to a new analysis.

The BMW Group’s recent recall of 1.5 million vehicles (including some Mini models and Rolls-Royce’s first electric vehicle, the Spectre) has been in the news this month as the German car giant attempts to fix an issue with its internal braking system.

But while vehicle recalls are often viewed negatively, MailOnline and This is Money Motoring editor Rob Hull says they should be welcomed rather than frowned upon for a number of different reasons.

Research by car advice website The Car Expert has found that the rate of vehicle recalls has increased more than tenfold compared to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) initial figures in 1994.

The DVSA recalled almost 1.1 million cars (and almost 1.2 million vehicles in total) in the first eight months of 2024.

While 30 years ago, only According to DVSA records, 27 passenger vehicle recalls were issued.

At current rates, The Car Expert predicts that 260 vehicle recalls could be issued by the end of 2024, affecting up to 1.8 million cars.

Passenger cars make up the vast majority of DVSA vehicle recalls, which also include vans, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motorhomes, trailers and even accessories such as car seats.

Product recalls, especially in the UK, are a serious matter.

This is because the DVSA only issues recalls for safety reasons.

Any non-safety-related failures may also result in voluntary product recalls, although this is at the discretion of the manufacturer.

The severity of a recall can vary, from adjustments to maintenance schedules to “Stop Driving” orders where a vehicle must not be driven until repairs are made.

And they can be very costly for car manufacturers.

The BMW Group recall is The necessary repairs are estimated to cost $1 billion, wiping out about 10 percent of the company’s market value last week.

Here in the UK, Mercedes-Benz has recalled more than 337,000 passenger cars so far this year for a variety of problems, some as old as six years.

However, it’s not just new or nearly new vehicles that are at risk of being recalled; the oldest cars recalled this year include Audi A4 models dating back to 2004 – cars made 20 years ago.

Stuart Masson, editorial director of The Car Expert, said: ‘Recalls in the UK are a serious matter because the DVSA only issues them when there are safety concerns.

‘This means that the potential risks to drivers and passengers are significant if the recall is not addressed immediately.

“With the number of vehicle recalls increasing year on year, it is more important than ever for drivers to be informed about the process.

‘Clear and accessible advice is essential to ensure vehicle owners understand not only the nature of the recall but also the steps they need to take to address the problem.

‘Educating drivers on how to promptly request repairs for their vehicles and ensuring that these issues are resolved quickly can greatly reduce road safety risks.’

According to The Car Expert, 41 different carmakers have issued vehicle recalls so far this year, from budget brands like Dacia and Fiat to super-luxury brands like Koenigsegg and Rolls-Royce.

Vehicle recalls are a GOOD thing, says Rob Hull

There often seems to be strong negative connotations surrounding vehicle recalls.

These problems are often portrayed in the media under a cloud of pessimism, suggesting that affected owners should feel aggrieved and that the process of resolving the fault is a major inconvenience for them.

But this really shouldn’t be the case.

In fact, withdrawals from office should be celebrated for a variety of reasons.

First, it gives drivers peace of mind that any potential problems with their car (particularly a safety recall that could put them, their passengers and other road users at risk) will be addressed.

A recall also ensures that the manufacturer rectifies a potentially faulty component, using a consistent approach and factory parts covered by warranty. That is not always the case when faults are repaired in general.

The other important positive aspect for drivers is that the recall will not cost them anything. Manufacturers are responsible for paying for parts and no labour costs are passed on to customers.

The car manufacturer is also responsible for identifying the owners of the affected models, communicating with them and agreeing on a suitable date to carry out the replacement of parts at a time convenient to customers.

Repairs are also usually not too urgent and can be resolved within a day.

It’s also worth remembering that product recalls for safety reasons are typically triggered by low-volume cases of problems (in some cases, fewer than a handful of accidents or near-accidents are reported).

There are, however, some exceptions to this rule, such as the massive Takata airbag recall that has affected tens of millions of vehicles and reportedly caused 28 deaths and at least 400 injuries in the United States alone.

While the recall action should be seen as a positive thing, it is important for drivers to be aware of any existing or previous recalls affecting the car they drive.

If you are not the first owner of the engine, there is a chance that the manufacturer may have difficulty finding your contact details and therefore may not be able to send a recall notice by post or email.

Owners of used vehicles should call the manufacturer shortly after purchase to check if there is a pending recall for their vehicle. Government Candidate Withdrawal Verification Site It is very easy to use and allows you to see if any safety or voluntary callbacks have been recorded for your engine.

And while a recall notice needs to be triggered for safety reasons, it’s also worth making sure your car is rectified, as it can result in a loss of value when it comes time to sell it.