Nearly three quarters of cars in the UK that have been recalled between January 2023 and September 2024 remain on the roads with unresolved problems, according to analysis from carVertical.
The study, which reviewed vehicle history reports over the period, found that only 28% of recalled vehicles in the UK have had their defects addressed.
Some of these recalls involve critical safety components such as airbags, brakes, and electrical systems.
While many factory defects are minor, some can pose safety risks, making it inadvisable to drive the vehicle.
Despite this, the UK had the lowest recall rate among the 26 countries studied, with just 3.1% of cars being recalled at least once.
The highest recall rates were seen in Portugal, followed by Greece and Spain.
Matas Buzelis, business development manager at carVertical, said: “As cars become increasingly modern and incorporate more electrical components, recalls are becoming more common.
Fortunately, these issues are usually resolved during regular vehicle maintenance, causing minimal inconvenience to drivers,”
The study suggests that many UK drivers may be unaware of their vehicle’s recall status or the importance of addressing these issues.
Recall resolution rates vary significantly across countries.
For example, 50% of Greek car owners acted on recall notices, compared to 42% in Spain, 43% in Bulgaria and 49% in Germany.
Matas adds: “The fact that 72% of recalled vehicles in the UK remain on the road with unresolved defects is troubling.
“This isn’t just a statistic — it represents a significant threat to road safety. Ignoring recalls is a risky gamble.”