When a fault is found, a manufacturer must notify the DVSA of a recall and proceed accordingly. Manufacturers can only do so much to remind people to have work done, and there’s a problem finding owners once a car has changed hands – especially on older models.
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He added, however, that both the DVSA and makers face a challenge when people don’t respond to letters “even though they’ve been sent by recorded post”.Īnd while owners may have to pay for remedial work related to ‘non-code actions’, Barlow confirmed that drivers should not have to pay for remedial work done under a safety recall. “They should contact the dealer/manufacturer as directed to in the letter,” Barlow told us. Once a fault has been identified, these engineers discuss potential fixes with makers, while staff can also inspect and assess recall-related repairs.Ĭar brands are legally obliged to inform the DVSA if they identify safety-related problems, and a recall is issued if the fault is likely to affect the “safe operation” of the car or “may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others”. The agency has eight dedicated engineers overseeing recalls, with a further 350 examiners on hand to support with inspections. Drivers tend to approach dealers in the first instance of discovering a fault, but Barlow explained drivers can also report issues directly to the DVSA online.
“In the majority of cases, the DVSA hears about problems or potential problems from the manufacturers,” said Barlow. How does a car recall come about in the first place? The DVSA is also sometimes involved in ‘non-code actions’ and ‘service campaigns’, where it will assist manufacturers in contacting owners regarding defects that do not present a serious safety risk. Next comes a Safety Recall: “This is the main recall the DVSA deals with,” added Barlow, “where a vehicle or component is deemed by our engineers, usually along with the manufacturers’ engineers, to present some safety risks.”ĭrivers can continue to use cars affected by a Safety Recall while waiting for the issue to be fixed – “Unless informed otherwise,” Barlow explained. And Neil Barlow, the DVSA’s head of vehicle engineering, was more than happy to share his expertise with Auto Express readers.
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To answer these questions, we spoke exclusively to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – the Government organisation tasked with managing and monitoring recall actions. What should you do when you receive such a letter? How does a manufacturer decide to issue a recall? And can car makers be forced to issue a recall?
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