March 2020

S afety recalls are a fact of life for vehicle owners, and regularly turn up as a news story in the press. It’s not just recent vehicles affected either. One example currently running in the UK is a worldwide Takata airbag recall that affects Audi, Honda and Toyota vehicles from as far back as 1995. Recalls provide a vital safety function, and an ecological one as well. With this in mind, through the Environment Bill, currently going through Parliament, the government is looking to compel vehicle manufacturers to recall vehicles for failing to conform to environmental rules, if they fail to issue a recall themselves. The aim is to improve air quality for urban areas, and has one eye on the impact of NOx emissions from diesel cars, as well as the overall impact of fossil fuel emissions. Commenting on the overall aims of the Bill, then-Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers stated: “We have set out our pitch to be a world leader on the environment as we leave the EU and the Environment Bill is a crucial part of achieving this aim. It sets a gold standard for improving air quality, protecting nature, increasing recycling and cutting down on plastic waste.” The bill was introduced the Bill to Parliament at the end of January. However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are not the only arm of the state showing an interest in the recall process. DVSA are also looking at recalls, to see what can be done with this function. A DVSA spokesman observed: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive. In our 2019 - 2020 business plan we have committed to investigate how we can link vehicle recalls with the MOT. Any changes we make will need to be agreed with ministers, and are therefore likely to need a change in legislation. “Our first priority will be to establish a recalls database where vehicle manufacturers can update in real time individual vehicles that come into the scope of a recalls and when they were fixed. Initially we would use the database on an advisory basis before it will become compulsory to have recalls carried out to pass the MOT.” The spokesman added: “DVSA oversees around 400 recalls a year on different vehicles and for different reasons.” Detail Let’s look more in-depth at what DVSA are trying to achieve. Some detail was given during ‘The smart approach to managing vehicle life cycles’, a recent AA conference held at its flagship customer experience centre in Oldbury. Topics under discussion included servicing, maintenance and repair schedules, and the management of recalls. Among the speakers was Neil Barlow, Head of Policy and Engineering at the DVSA: “We help people through a lifetime of safe driving, which includes the driving test, and things that go along with the driving test, the Highway Code being an obvious one. We also help people keep their vehicle safe to drive. The MOT is an obvious product within that area, but recalls come into that area as well. “Recalls are run in Britain under the General Product Safety Regulations. These are not written for vehicles, they apply to any products, whether they are washing machines or bookcases. The regulations basically say, if you make and sell a product, it has to be safe. If it is not safe, you have an obligation to fix it as a 8 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2020 BIG ISSUE Below: Vehicle recalls continue to be an issue www.aftermarketonline.net TOTAL RECALL Changes to the MOT continue, with recalls among future additions. Will this create new opportunities for independents?