Skip to main content

Recall check by VIN

Find out whether the used car you're about to buy has an open manufacturer recall — or a historic safety recall the seller didn't declare.

47+ country sources

99.7% decode accuracy

What the recall check tells you

Carlytics matches a VIN against EU Safety Gate recall notifications and the NHTSA recall registry, and surfaces every manufacturer campaign affecting that exact build (engine, airbag, fuel system, brakes, steering, electrical). The report shows the recall reference number, the safety risk in plain language, the corrective action the manufacturer mandates, and whether the campaign is still open. The dataset covers passenger vehicles, light commercials, motorcycles and small-volume builds across the EU and US markets. Because recalls are tied to production VIN ranges, the match is exact — not a generic make/model warning. When a recall is still open, you can quote the reference at a franchised dealer and the repair is performed free of charge under manufacturer warranty, regardless of the car's age or mileage. The Carlytics report distinguishes safety recalls from voluntary service campaigns so you know what is and is not covered without question at the dealer.

Why it matters for buyers

Unfixed recalls are a recurring source of post-purchase complaints — the buyer discovers the problem on the first MOT or service visit, when the dealer mentions a years-old outstanding campaign. Some recalls (Takata airbag inflators, certain Euro-5 diesel oil pumps, EV charging contactor fires) carry genuine safety risk. In a cross-border used-car purchase the seller often doesn't know whether the recall was completed, because manufacturer letters were sent to the original keeper in another country. Checking before you hand over the money lets you walk away, negotiate a discount, or schedule the free repair at your local franchise. The check is also useful at the inspection visit — quoting the campaign reference forces the seller to either prove completion or accept the lower price.

How Carlytics differs

carVertical surfaces recall data in its premium tier (EUR 24.99). Carlytics returns the same EU and US registry data for EUR 8.90 — one flat report, no subscription. We don't only show that a recall exists; we explain the safety risk in your language, link the manufacturer campaign reference, and indicate whether the repair is still mandatory under the dealer warranty. The report is yours to download as a PDF, with no time-boxed online-only access. We pull from EU and US safety registries plus 47+ country sources with an aggregate decode accuracy of 99.7%.

Run a recall check now

Enter the 17-character VIN. The full Carlytics report is EUR 8.90 — no subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Carlytics cover both EU and US recalls?
Yes. The check matches the VIN against EU Safety Gate notifications, NHTSA campaigns, and the manufacturer's published reference numbers. For European cars sold inside the EU, almost all open campaigns surface; for grey imports we also flag recalls issued in the original market.
If a recall is open, who pays for the repair?
The manufacturer. Open recalls are repaired free of charge at any franchised dealer regardless of who currently owns the car, regardless of age, and regardless of mileage. You quote the recall reference at booking — that is why Carlytics surfaces it directly.
Can a seller legally sell a car with an open recall?
In most EU jurisdictions yes, provided the recall is not a manufacturer-classified stop-drive order. The seller is still obliged to disclose the open campaign. Failure to do so is misrepresentation under EU consumer-sales law and grounds for renegotiation or rescission.
How does the report present a recall?
Each open or historic recall appears with its campaign reference, the safety risk category (airbag, fuel, brakes, electrical), a plain-language explanation, the manufacturer's corrective action, the affected VIN range, and whether the campaign is currently open.
Are service campaigns the same as recalls?
No. Recalls are safety-related and free of charge; service campaigns address quality issues outside the safety remit. Carlytics distinguishes between the two so you do not walk into a dealer expecting a free repair that is not covered.
Will the check find pre-2000 campaigns?
Coverage is strongest from 2001 onwards because that is when the major recall registries achieved consistent VIN-level reporting. Pre-2001 campaigns sometimes exist only at the manufacturer level and may not be VIN-matchable.
What if the seller says the recall was already completed?
Ask for the dealer invoice or campaign-completion letter. The franchise that completed the work has a record. Without proof, treat the recall as still open and budget for a free dealer visit yourself.

Related checks

Recall Check by VIN — Verify Open Manufacturer Recalls | Carlytics