The DVSA has issued an urgent message to vehicle owners across the UK, with millions of owners potentially at risk.

Vehicle recalls are often issued by manufacturers to correct known defects in vehicles already on the road.

However, motorists may be unaware that a recall has been issued, meaning they could end up with a potentially dangerous problem.

But recent rule changes mean recall information will now appear on motorists’ MOT recall letters, which is a major step forward.

The DVSA has urged individuals to closely monitor their letters to ensure an outstanding recall is not due.

Posting on social media site X, the DVSA explained: “Any outstanding safety recalls on your vehicle will now appear when you receive your MOT recall.

“If you have one, your vehicle manufacturer should tell you what the problem is, what you should do next and who to contact.”

The new update comes after a recent analysis by The Car Expert found that the number of recalls had skyrocketed.

New data from the DVSA shows the number of recalls has increased more than tenfold since 1994.

In the first eight months of 2024, almost 1.1 million cars and 1.2 million vehicles received a recall notice from the DVSA.

This led The Car Expert to predict that up to 1.8 million cars could be recalled by the end of 2024.

That would mean about 260 recall notices would have been issued by the end of the year, compared to just 27 30 years ago.

Stuart Masson, editorial director of The Car Expert, previously admitted it was “vital” that road users were aware of any problems with their engines.

He explained: “Recalls in the UK are serious, as they usually indicate safety issues. With the number of recalls increasing, it is essential that drivers stay informed.

“By integrating recall data into our platform, we ensure that vehicle owners can easily check whether their car has been recalled and whether necessary repairs have been carried out. »

According to GOV.UK, drivers can sign up to receive free MOT reminders via SMS and email online.

Recalls will be issued one month before the technical inspection of a car, van or motorcycle or two months before a technical inspection of a truck, bus or large trailer.

The recall will include details of any outstanding recalls, meaning motorists can be prepared ahead of their test.