Guidance

Recall vehicles, parts or accessories in the UK

How vehicle manufacturers, producers and suppliers should run a safety recall in the UK.

Documents

Manufacturers’ guide to recalls in the UK automotive sector

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The UK safety recalls scheme: message from DVSA (leaflet)

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The UK safety recalls scheme: message from DVSA (poster)

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Notification of intention to recall a registered product

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Notification of intention to recall a non-registered product

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Notification of intention to recall a non-coded action

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DVSA Product safety notification form

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Details

This guide provides ‘best practice’ advice on how automotive manufacturers, producers and suppliers should run a safety recall in the UK.

DVSA has a specific team called the Vehicle Safety Branch (VSB) responsible for safety recall work and it adheres to the following codes of practice:

The supporting safety recall leaflet should be sent out by manufacturers when issuing a recall notice to consumers.

Updates to this page

Published 18 July 2013
Last updated 1 October 2021 + show all updates
  1. Replaced RAPEX (Community Rapid Information System) notification form with DVSA product safety notification form.

  2. A poster version of the UK safety recalls scheme message from DVSA has now been added.

  3. Additional forms have been attached which manufacturers should use when notifying DVSA that they intend to issue a recall or non-coded action.

  4. The 'UK safety recalls scheme: message from VOSA' leaflet has been replaced with a more user-friendly version.

  5. The term 'manufacturer, producer or supplier' has been changed to 'producer or distributor' in line with the GPSR 2005. There has been a change to the wording of the section on RAPEX, and to that on 'fleets, leasing and rental companies'. There have also been changes to the notification forms and a RAPEX notification form has also been introduced. An "Important message from VOSA" leaflet has been introduced, and, following a review of the codes, there is further clarification of the definition of a safety defect .

  6. First published.

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