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Trailer Recalls In The UK: Horsebox, Livestock And Small Trailer Recalls, And How To Check Yours

Recall data from DVSA, updated 15 October 2026.

Light trailer recalls, including Ifor Williams horseboxes and livestock trailers, are listed by DVSA under "private trailers". There are 30 in DVSA's data, 13 of them since 2020. Trailers have no registration, so check the VIN on the trailer's plate against the maker's recall list.

Latest Trailer Recalls

These are the newest UK recalls on light trailers, newest first.

LaunchedVehicle and faultVehiclesReference
Ifor Williams TT2515, TT3017, TT3621On certain trailers the brake compensator nuts may not have been tightened correctly this may result a deterioration in braking performance1,415RPT/2024/001
Ifor Williams DP, HB, TAStake nuts fitted to certain axles may not have been tightened to the correct torque this may result in the wheel becoming loose or possibly detaching804RPT/2023/005
Ifor Williams HBE506, HBX506, HBX511Due to a defect within a certain batch of gas struts fitted to HBX/HBE trailers the ramps may lock in the open position368RPT/2023/004
White Trailers Ltd White TrailersTrailers are non-compliant with regulations15RPT/2022/001
Macgregor Ind Supplies Ltd Rees 7 X 4 Canopy, Rees 7 X 4 Lift Canopy, Rees 7X4, Rees 8X4Trailers were sold without a Certificate of Conformity98RPT/2023/003
Vale Engineering (York) Ltd TS1700, TS500HSHDThe axle may bend41RPT/2023/001
Fautras OblicsThe wheel bolts may have been tightened with insufficient tightening torque and incompatible wheel bolts may have been used6RPT/2022/005
Neville Porter Trailers 2 Axle Beavertail, 2 Axle Builders, 2 Axle Flat, 2 Axle LivestockTrailers have been supplied without necessary type approval certification84RPT/2023/002
Ifor Williams TGWheel bearing may experience premature failure7,487RPT/2022/004
Temared CAR Platform 4521S NEW 2.7T_ALUThe shafts to accommodate the extendable ramps have been manufactured with insufficient wall strength1RPT/2022/003
Winder Boats Ltd Type 01 TrailerTrailers have been supplied without the necessary TYPE approval certification148RPT/2022/002
Bockmann Fahrzeugwerke Gmbh AHA manufacturing error of the tyres 195/50 R13 C (EAN 6953913155432) with DOT 4720 could lead to a loss in tyre pressure or a burst tyre3RPT/2021/002
Admiral Trailers Comet Road Base, Dinghy Road Base, Hobie Road Base, JET Roller 500O1 and O2 trailers being supplied without type approval92RPT/2021/001
Trailertech Catering TrailerTrailer may detach17RPT/2015/003
Indespension AD2000P5, AD2800, FTL35126SDX, FTL35146YPotential detachment of the wheel327RPT/2015/002

Recall Maker Models Units Fault
RPT/2024/001 Ifor Williams TT2515, TT3017, TT3621 1,415 Brake compensator nuts may not be tight
RPT/2023/005 Ifor Williams DP, HB, TA 804 Axle stake nuts may not be tight
RPT/2023/004 Ifor Williams HBE506, HBX506, HBX511 368 Faulty batch of gas struts
RPT/2023/001 Vale Engineering TS1700, TS500HSHD 41 Axle may bend
RPT/2022/004 Ifor Williams TG 7,487 Wheel bearing may fail early
RPT/2022/005 Fautras Oblics 6 Wheel bolts may be under-tightened

Open any reference for the serial or build ranges covered and the fix.

Ifor Williams Recalls Explained

Ifor Williams has the most recent UK trailer recalls, covering brake parts, axle fixings, gas struts and wheel bearings on horsebox, livestock and general-purpose trailers.

The brake compensator recall, RPT/2024/001, covers tilt-bed trailers, where nuts on the part that balances braking between wheels may not have been tightened. The axle stake nut recall, RPT/2023/005, covers DP, HB and TA trailers. The gas strut recall, RPT/2023/004, covers HBE and HBX horseboxes, where a faulty batch of struts could fail to hold a ramp or door. The wheel bearing recall, RPT/2022/004, covers TG general-purpose trailers and is the largest UK trailer recall in recent years, at 7,487 units. Contact an Ifor Williams dealer with your trailer's serial number to check and book the work.

Where To Find Your Trailer’s VIN And Plate

Look for the manufacturer's plate on the drawbar or chassis near the front of the trailer. It shows the VIN or serial number, the maximum weights and, on newer trailers, the type approval number.

Where the trailer plate and VIN are 1 Manufacturer’s plate 2 VIN stamped on chassis
  1. Manufacturer’s plateUsually on the drawbar or the front of the chassis.
  2. VINOften stamped into the chassis near the plate.
The trailer plate is usually on the drawbar or the front of the chassis, and the VIN is often stamped into the chassis nearby.

The VIN is often stamped into the chassis as well. Write it down and keep a photo of the plate, because plates can fade or go missing. When you contact the maker, give the VIN, the model and roughly when the trailer was bought.

Trailers Sold Without Type Approval

Some trailer recalls are not about a broken part but about trailers sold without the paperwork that shows they meet the rules, such as a Certificate of Conformity.

New light trailers must meet type approval rules. Recalls such as RPT/2022/001, RPT/2023/002 and RPT/2023/003 cover trailers supplied without it or without a Certificate of Conformity. In those cases the maker usually inspects the trailer and supplies the missing approval or makes changes. DVSA's Market Surveillance Unit enforces these rules and can require recalls.1 If you're buying a new trailer, ask for its Certificate of Conformity.

Checks Before Every Tow

A recall check is one part of keeping a trailer roadworthy. Before each trip:

  • Tyres: check pressures, tread and age, as trailer tyres often age out before they wear out. See tyre recalls.
  • Wheel nuts: check they are tight, especially after new wheels or a recall repair.
  • Lights and coupling: test every light and check the coupling locks onto the ball.
  • Breakaway cable: fit it correctly so the trailer brakes if it comes loose.

Several recent recalls involved nuts and bolts not tightened at the factory, which a regular check can catch early.

Getting The Fix

Trailer recall repairs are normally free from the maker or its dealers.2

  • Contact the maker or a dealer with the trailer's VIN or serial number.
  • Ask whether the trailer can still be used before the repair. Brake and axle recalls may mean it shouldn't be towed.
  • Keep the paperwork showing the recall was done, which helps when you sell the trailer.

Trailer recalls don't reach owners by letter as reliably as car recalls, because trailers have no DVLA keeper record. If you bought a trailer second-hand, register it with the maker so you hear about future recalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Towbars Recalled?

Sometimes, as components. Check with the towbar maker using the part number on the bar. See recall code lookup.

Are Caravans Covered Here?

No. Touring caravans have their own section on our motorhome and caravan recalls page.

Does A Trailer Need An MOT?

Light trailers don't need an MOT in Great Britain, so a recall won't be picked up at a test. Check the VIN with the maker instead.

Data: DVSA vehicle recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026.

Sources

  1. 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).
  2. 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.