Car recalls have increased tenfold in 30 years: ROB HULL says they should be welcomed rather than viewed negatively

A new analysis finds that car recalls are 10 times more common than they were in the 1990s.

The recent recall of 1.5 million vehicles by the BMW Group, including several Mini models and Rolls-Royce’s first electric car, the Spectre, made headlines this month as the German auto giant attempts to fix an issue with the internal braking system.

Although recalls are often viewed negatively, Rob Hull, editor of MailOnline and This is Money Motoring, says they should be welcomed rather than condemned. This is for a number of reasons.

Research by driving advice website The Car Expert has found that the number of vehicle recalls has increased more than tenfold since figures first released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in 1994.

In the first eight months of 2024, almost 1.1 million cars (and almost 1.2 million vehicles in total) have been recalled by the DVSA.

While 30 years ago, only According to DVSA data, 27 passenger cars were recalled.

According to The Car Expert, if the current pace continues, 260 recalls could be issued by the end of 2024, affecting 1.8 million cars.

Passenger cars make up the vast majority of vehicles recalled by the DVSA. This includes vans, trucks, buses, motorbikes, campers, trailers and even accessories such as car seats.

Recalls are a serious matter, especially in the UK.

This is because the DVSA only issues recalls for safety reasons.

Even in the case of defects that are not related to safety, products can be voluntarily recalled. However, it is up to the manufacturer to decide this.

The severity of a recall can range from adjustments to maintenance schedules to a “Stop Drive” order where a vehicle must not be driven until repairs are made.

And they can be very expensive for automakers.

The BMW Group recall is The cost of the necessary repairs is estimated at $1 billion, which wiped out about ten percent of the company’s market value last week.

In the UK, Mercedes-Benz has recalled more than 337,000 passenger cars so far this year due to various problems, some of which date back six years.

But it’s not just brand-new or nearly-new cars that are at risk of being recalled. Some of the oldest cars recalled this year include 2004 Audi A4 models, cars built 20 years ago.

Stuart Masson, editor-in-chief of The Car Expert, said: ‘Recalls in the UK are a serious matter because the DVSA only issues them if there are safety concerns.

‘This means that the potential risks to drivers and passengers are significant if the recall is not remedied immediately.

“With the number of recalls increasing every year, it is more important than ever that drivers are aware of the process.

‘Clear and accessible advice is essential so that vehicle owners understand not only the nature of the recall, but also the steps they need to take to address the issue.

‘By teaching drivers how to quickly bring their vehicles in for repairs and ensuring that problems are resolved quickly, we can significantly reduce the risks to road safety.’

According to The Car Expert, 41 different car manufacturers have issued recalls so far this year, ranging from budget brands like Dacia and Fiat to super-luxury brands like Koenigsegg and Rolls-Royce.

Car recalls are a GOOD idea, says Rob Hull

There often seems to be strong negative connotations attached to vehicle recalls.

They are often described in the media with a gloomy undertone, suggesting that affected owners should feel aggrieved and that fixing the error is a great inconvenience for them.

But that really shouldn’t be the case.

Actually, recalls should be celebrated for several reasons.

Firstly, it gives drivers the assurance that any potential problem with their car will be addressed, especially in the case of a recall that could put them, their passengers and other road users at risk.

A recall also ensures that a potentially questionable part will be repaired by the manufacturer, with a consistent approach and factory parts that are under warranty. This is not always the case when faults are generally fixed.

The other big advantage for drivers is that a recall costs them nothing. Manufacturers are responsible for paying for the parts and no labor costs are passed on to customers.

The automaker is also responsible for identifying owners of the affected models, contacting them and arranging a suitable date to replace the parts at a time convenient to the customer.

In addition, repairs are often not too time-sensitive and can be resolved within a day.

Also keep in mind that safety recalls are often initiated when there are only a small number of problems. In some cases, there are fewer than a handful of accidents or near misses reported.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however, such as the massive Takata airbag recall that has affected tens of millions of vehicles and reportedly caused 28 deaths and at least 400 injuries in the US alone.

While a recall should be viewed as a positive thing, it is important for motorists to be aware of any existing or past recalls that affect the vehicle they drive.

If you are not the original owner of the motorcycle, there is a chance that the manufacturer may have difficulty finding your contact information and therefore cannot send a recall notice by mail or email.

Used car owners should call the manufacturer shortly after purchase to check if there is an outstanding recall for their vehicle. There is also a Government recall checking site which is very easy to use and allows you to see if there are any safety or voluntary recalls registered for your engine.

While it is necessary to have a recall performed for safety reasons, it is also worth making sure your car is repaired as this could result in a loss of value when resold.