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Car Recall Glossary: 40 UK Recall Terms From Letters, MOT Records And DVSA Data, Explained In Plain English

Recall data from DVSA, updated 15 October 2026.

This glossary explains the words used on UK car recall letters, MOT records and DVSA's recall list. Each entry gives a short plain-English definition, the official source and the page that explains the topic in full.

A To C

Build date range
The build date range is the first and last production dates of the vehicles included in a recall. DVSA records them as "Build Start" and "Build End". A car built inside the range may be included, and the manufacturer confirms by VIN.1 Read more: where to find your VIN.
Campaign code (recall code)
A campaign code is the manufacturer's reference for one recall campaign, printed on letters and stored by DVSA as "Manufacturer Ref", for example Ford 25SC4 or Citroën GK2.1 Read more: recall code lookup.
Charging limit
A charging limit is a temporary instruction in an electric or plug-in hybrid recall notice, such as charging only to 80 % or not charging under cover, that applies until the repair is done.2 Read more: electric car recalls.
Closed recall
A closed recall is a campaign that has been closed for reporting, normally once about 90 % of vehicles in service are fixed. The recall stays in force, and the free repair still applies to any car that was missed.3 Read more: do car recalls expire?.
Code of Practice on vehicle safety defects and recalls
The Code of Practice is DVSA's guidance on how producers report safety defects and run recalls in the UK. It was last updated on 6 March 2024 and sits alongside product safety law.4 Read more: car recall law.
Completed recall
A completed recall is one that a franchised dealer has carried out on a vehicle and the manufacturer has recorded as done. Checking completion is the manufacturer's job, not DVSA's.5 Read more: how long a recall repair takes.
Concern
Concern is the DVSA recall field that briefly describes the risk caused by the defect, such as "airbag may not deploy correctly". Our recall pages turn it into plain English. Read more: methodology.
CRiS
CRiS is the touring caravan registration scheme. It gives each caravan a 17-character VIN, stamped on the chassis and etched on the windows, which is used to check caravan recalls.6 Read more: caravan recalls.

D To H

Defect
Defect is the DVSA recall field that describes what is wrong with the part or system, such as a weld that may crack. Read more: methodology.
DOT code
The DOT code is the code moulded into a tyre's sidewall. Its last four digits give the week and year of manufacture, which is how tyre recalls identify affected tyres. Read more: tyre recalls.
DVSA recall reference
The DVSA recall reference is DVSA's own ID for a recall, such as R/2025/527. R is used for vehicles, RM for motorcycles and RCOMP for components. Read more: recall code lookup.
eCall
eCall is the system that automatically calls the emergency services after a serious crash. Some recalls fix eCall faults, often with a software update. Read more: software recalls.
EGR cooler
An EGR cooler is the part that cools exhaust gas before it is sent back into a diesel engine. Leaking coolers led to a series of BMW and MINI fire-risk recalls from 2018.7 Read more: BMW EGR cooler recall.
Franchised dealer
A franchised dealer is a dealer authorised by the manufacturer to sell and service its vehicles. Manufacturers direct owners to any of their franchised dealers for recall work, not just the selling dealer.8 Read more: manufacturer recall helplines.
General Product Safety Regulations
The General Product Safety Regulations are the main UK law requiring producers to supply only safe products and to act when a product is unsafe, including vehicles.4 Read more: car recall law.
Goodwill
Goodwill is a manufacturer's voluntary contribution to the cost of a repair that is not covered by a recall or warranty, often for a known problem. The Stellantis PureTech scheme is one example.9 Read more: PureTech recalls.
High-voltage battery
The high-voltage battery is the traction battery that powers an electric or hybrid car. Battery recalls may set charging or parking limits until the fix is done.2 Read more: electric car recalls.

I To O

ISOFIX
ISOFIX is the standard system of anchor points used to fix child car seats to a vehicle. Some motorhome and child seat recalls concern ISOFIX mountings.10 Read more: child car seat recalls.
Market Surveillance Unit (MSU)
The Market Surveillance Unit is the DVSA team that enforces product safety and emissions rules for vehicles and can require affected vehicles to be recalled.11 Read more: how to report a vehicle safety defect.
MOT recall information
MOT recall information is the note of an outstanding recall shown in the MOT service since July 2023, for manufacturers that share data. It is for information only and is not a fail.12 Read more: recalls and the MOT.
Motor Codes vehicle safety recall search
The Motor Codes recall search was an SMMT-funded tool, launched in 2015, that checked cars and vans for recalls by VIN. Motor Codes is now The Motor Ombudsman, and the old search address no longer works, so use our checker, then confirm with your VIN through the manufacturer's helpline.13 Read more: car recall check.
Open Government Licence (OGL)
The Open Government Licence is the licence that allows DVSA's recall data to be republished, with attribution. Read more: methodology.
Open or outstanding recall
An outstanding recall is a recall that applies to a vehicle and has not yet been repaired. "Open" means the same. Read more: outstanding recalls.
Over-the-air (OTA) update
An over-the-air update is a software fix sent to the car through its mobile connection, without a dealer visit. Some recalls are fixed this way. Read more: software recalls.

P To R

Personal import
A personal import is a vehicle brought into the UK by its owner rather than through the manufacturer's network. Personal imports are covered by UK recalls, but the manufacturer may not hold the owner's details.14 Read more: where to find your VIN.
Producer
The producer is the manufacturer or importer responsible for a vehicle under the Code, including running any recall. Independent importers take on producer duties.14 Read more: car recall law.
Registered keeper
The registered keeper is the person DVLA records as keeping the vehicle. Manufacturers can use DVLA records to send recall letters to the keeper's address.14 Read more: recall letters.
Remedy
Remedy is the DVSA recall field that describes the fix, such as replacing a part, an inspection or a software update. Read more: how long a recall repair takes.

S To Z

Safety defect report
A safety defect report is a report to DVSA about a suspected serious defect, made after first contacting the manufacturer.15 Read more: how to report a vehicle safety defect.
Safety recall
A safety recall is a repair a manufacturer organises to fix a safety defect, under the Code agreed with DVSA. You will not usually have to pay for it.316 Read more: what a car recall means.
Service campaign
A service campaign is a manufacturer action for an issue that is not a safety defect. It is not on DVSA's recall list.17 Read more: recall code lookup.
Software recall
A software recall is a recall whose remedy is a software update. In 2025, 36% of UK car recalls were fixed this way. Read more: software recalls.
Stop-drive (do not drive)
A stop-drive recall is one whose notice tells owners not to use the vehicle until it is repaired. They are rare.18 Read more: do not drive recalls.
Takata inflator
A Takata inflator is an airbag inflator made by Takata whose propellant can degrade over time and rupture when the airbag deploys. About 100 million were recalled worldwide by 2017.19 Read more: Takata airbag recalls.
V5C
The V5C is the vehicle logbook issued by DVLA. It shows the VIN and the registered keeper's address, which manufacturers use for recall letters.20 Read more: recall letters.
Vehicle numbers
Vehicle numbers is the DVSA field holding the manufacturer's estimate of UK vehicles affected by one recall. Read more: UK car recall statistics.
Vehicle-records
Vehicle-records is our term for DVSA vehicle numbers added up across recalls. Because one car can be in several recalls, the total counts records, not separate cars. Read more: methodology.
VIN
The VIN is the 17-character vehicle identification number that confirms whether a recall covers your exact car. It never contains the letters I, O or Q.21 Read more: where to find your VIN.
Warranty
A warranty is a promise to fix faults for a set period or mileage. Recalls apply whether or not the car is still under warranty.16 Read more: do you have to pay for a car recall?.
Wet belt (belt in oil)
A wet belt is a timing or oil pump belt that runs in engine oil. Wear problems with wet belts are mostly handled outside safety recalls, through servicing or goodwill.22 Read more: Ford EcoBoost wet belt and PureTech recalls.

Easily Confused Terms

These pairs are often mixed up on letters and in phone calls.

Term Compared with The difference
Safety recall Service campaign A recall fixes a safety defect and is on DVSA's list; a service campaign is not. See recall code lookup
Recall Warranty A recall applies whatever the car's age; a warranty runs for a set period. See recall costs
Recall Goodwill A recall is organised under the Code; goodwill is voluntary help with a non-recall repair. See compensation
Outstanding Completed Outstanding means not yet repaired; completed means done and recorded. See outstanding recalls
DVSA DVLA DVSA oversees recalls and defects; DVLA holds keeper and vehicle records. See manufacturer recall helplines
VIN Registration The VIN stays with the car for life; a registration can change. See where to find your VIN
Campaign code DVSA reference The code is the manufacturer's; the reference, such as R/2025/527, is DVSA's. See recall code lookup

Sources: DVSA Code of Practice, GOV.UK guidance and DVSA recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026. Terms are added as they appear on new recall letters.

Sources

  1. Manufacturer codes in DVSA data (our run 2026-10-15, RecallsFile, car category): 5,206 of 6,051 car recall refs (86.0 %) carry a Manufacturer Ref. Since 2020: 2,345 of 2,364 (99.2 %). 5,045 distinct normalised codes; 131 codes appear on more than one recall (e.g. Jeep 66A, JLR D008). Stellantis refs are stored as ; the three-letter prefix is the letter code (e.g. GK2-222006EE). Checked 15 Oct 2026.
  2. 13 car refs with charging limits/no-charge instructions, e.g.: Ford Kuga R/2025/527 (≤80 %) Mercedes EQA/EQB R/2025/106 (≤80 %) Audi e-tron GT R/2024/436, R/2024/404 (≤80 %), R/2024/219 (don't charge under cover) Audi A6/A7/Q5 R/2025/463, A8/Q7/Q8 R/2025/441, A6/Q5 R/2024/495 (don't charge externally) VW Touareg R/2026/001.
  3. Code timelines: Producers normally respond to DVSA within 28 days (5.5); DVSA reviews are typically monthly (5.4). DVSA must be notified "as soon as the safety defect has been confirmed" (6.1). 3 notifications per motorist is seen as reasonable (8.3). Response rates are reported every three months (11.1).
  4. The Vehicle Safety Defects and Recalls Code of Practice was last updated 6 March 2024. It is not a legal interpretation; the legal basis for product safety is "primarily the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)" (para 1.2). gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
  5. "DVSA does not have a responsibility for verifying that individual recalls are completed correctly, that is for the manufacturer. DVSA will investigate any complaint of recalls not being conducted in line with the code of practice or legislative requirements."
  6. CRiS (Central Registration and Identification Scheme): Set up by the National Caravan Council in 1992 and run by HPI. Every new tourer gets a 17-character CRiS VIN, stamped into the chassis, etched on windows and held on an electronic tag. Since 2016 it is also on a VIN Chip sticker inside the front window and in the front locker. The 10th character is the model year (which runs from the previous September). cris.co.uk, caravanguard.co.uk, theaa.com
  7. BMW EGR: Which? (Oct 2018): 268,000 UK diesels recalled; extended by 27,000 (2019). Auto Express: owners waited up to ~8 weeks (2 months) for parts in 2018 to 19. No official repair duration found → write "ask the dealer; in 2018 to 19 parts waits reached about eight weeks". which.co.uk, which.co.uk
  8. Manufacturers direct owners to any of their authorised/franchised retailers for recall work, not only the selling dealer: Vauxhall: "contact your authorised repairer". BMW: "contact a BMW Approved Retailer". Audi: "contact your Audi Centre" or book online under warranty repair/recall. Volkswagen: "contact your local VW retailer". Renault/Dacia: "your retailer will replace the affected parts free of charge". audi.co.uk, bmw.co.uk, renault.co.uk, vauxhall.co.uk, volkswagen.co.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
  9. Stellantis PureTech compensation platform: Covers 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech (Citroën, DS, Peugeot, Vauxhall). Covers costs for excessive oil consumption and/or premature timing-belt failure paid between 1 Jan 2022 and 31 Dec 2024. Servicing must follow the maintenance plan; diagnosis and repair must be in the authorised network. fleetnews.co.uk, stellantis.com
  10. ISOFIX motorhome recalls 2026: Bailey R/2026/259, Swift R/2026/263, Auto-Sleepers R/2026/264, Laika R/2026/341: "Users are asked to stop using ISOFIX connection points to attach child seats with immediate effect." Adria R/2026/236: "instructed not to use the ISOFIX attachment points until a technical inspection…" Hymer R/2026/340: inspect and replace (no stop-use wording).
  11. DVSA's Market Surveillance Unit investigates possible non-compliant diesel emissions (defeat devices) and will "where necessary, recall affected vehicles". The government is considering a mandatory environmental recall regime under the Environment Act 2021; no regime is in force (answer 5 Jun 2025).
  12. Recall information was added to MOT certificates and the MOT testing service in July 2023. Manufacturers supply live data directly (first: Ford, Toyota, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, VW Group). Recalls from makers not yet sharing data come from the SMMT feed and don't appear on the certificate. An outstanding recall is not a fail. iota.org.uk, fleetnews.co.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
  13. SMMT's Vehicle Safety Recall search on Motor Codes (motorcodes.co.uk/vehicle-recall): launched June 2015, funded and managed by SMMT checks by VIN for cars and vans, and links to local dealers cost and current coverage not confirmed Re-check 2026-10-15 (P2C-05): www.motorcodes.co.uk now resolves to The Motor Ombudsman's host and /vehicle-recall fails (TLS error). fleetnews.co.uk, themotorombudsman.org Checked 15 Oct 2026.
  14. Under the Code: Producers may use DVLA to locate registered keepers (8.6). Recall work should normally be done when the vehicle is seen at a dealer (8.5). Producers may supplement the dealer network (7.7). Independent importers take on producer duties; personal imports are covered; exports are not (12 to 13).
  15. Reporting a defect (GOV.UK): report to the manufacturer immediately; contact DVSA if unhappy, using online form 8464. The page doesn't say whether anonymous reports are accepted → don't claim either way.
  16. The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
  17. Service campaigns ≠ safety recalls. DVSA's recall list covers safety defects agreed under the Code; non-safety service/technical campaigns aren't on it. Owner forums report dealers quoting internal campaign codes (French Car Forum; Porsche Club GB: "recall vs service campaign"). porscheclubgb.com
  18. DVSA quotes: "Yes, they are rare." (stop-drive) "The UK is considered low risk in the case of the Takata airbag defect" (linked to hot, humid climates). "The DVSA has no powers to force companies to compensate."
  19. Global: ≈100 m inflators recalled worldwide; ≈67 to 69 m in the US (2017 reports). Use "about 100 million inflators worldwide (2017 estimate)".
  20. V5C: the VIN appears in the vehicle-details section with make, model and engine size (labelled as the VIN/chassis/frame number). No official DVLA box number was found → don't cite a box number.
  21. VIN structure (ISO 3779 and ISO 3780): A VIN has 17 characters: the World Manufacturer Identifier (characters 1 to 3), the Vehicle Descriptor Section (4 to 9) and the Vehicle Identifier Section (10 to 17). In European practice the 10th character often encodes the model year and the 11th the plant, but this is manufacturer-dependent. The letters I, O and Q are not used. gov.uk, iso.org
  22. EcoBoost wet belt: No DVSA recall reference covers the 1.0 EcoBoost timing belt (scan 15 Oct 2026, data pack event ). Ford's official replacement interval is reported as 10 years or 150,000 miles (Parkers); some parts suppliers quote shorter intervals. No published UK Ford goodwill programme was found. Ignore a web claim of a "December 2023 wet-belt recall": it is not in DVSA data (probably non-UK). parkers.co.uk