UK Vehicle Recall Check
The A3 is Audi's best-selling UK model and shares its underpinnings with the VW Golf, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia. Recall activity tends to follow VW Group campaigns.
Enter the vehicle's UK registration to begin.
Our combined check pulls the DVSA recall database, the SMMT manufacturer feed and the DVLA recall archive going back to 1992, so where a recall exists you get the live outstanding status, the recall description and every past campaign for the same model in one place.
The UK government's official recall register. Confirms whether a recall is outstanding for the vehicle.
Industry data from vehicle manufacturers. Typically includes the recall description, not just a flag.
Every UK recall campaign issued since 1992. Surfaces the historical campaigns for the same make and model alongside the live status.
A3 recalls in the UK have closely tracked the wider VW Group campaigns — the EA189 diesel emissions service action on 1.6 and 2.0 TDI 8V cars, the long-running Takata airbag inflator campaign, and a number of joint MQB-platform actions. The 8Y (current car) launched in 2020 has had a series of early-production software, electrics and seatbelt-related actions. As a premium hatch that holds value well and changes hands often, A3 recall letters frequently miss the current keeper. A combined DVSA + SMMT check returns the up-to-date status — Audi UK has SMMT-feed coverage that usually includes the recall description.
The recall check is run against the vehicle's VIN, so every UK generation is covered regardless of age. The list below is for reference.
8V
2013–2020
Caught by the EA189 service action on TDI cars and the long-running Takata airbag campaign.
8Y
2020–present
Built on the VW Group MQB-evo platform. Subject to a number of early-production software and electrics actions.
A non-exhaustive editorial summary of recent UK safety campaigns. Run a check to see whether any of these apply to a specific vehicle.
8Y A3 fuel system software defect affecting certain TFSI petrol cars where the high-pressure fuel pump could behave outside specification.
8Y A3 rear seatbelt anchor concern on early-production cars where the anchor may not meet specified retention strength.
Ongoing Takata airbag inflator replacement programme covering a broad set of older Audi model years across the UK.
Takata airbag inflator replacement on 8V A3 cars, part of the long-running global Takata campaign.
EA189 diesel emissions service action on 1.6 and 2.0 TDI 8V A3 cars. A free software update was applied.
DVLA-recorded safety recalls affecting the Audi A3. Showing the most recent 20 matching entries — run a check on a specific registration to confirm whether any recall is outstanding for that vehicle.
| Date | Model | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | A3 | Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN |
| Aug 2024 | A3 | Replacing TAKATA driver airbag |
| Aug 2023 | A3 | On affected vehicles an electrical connector for the power supply for the fuse carrier in the interior of the vehicle may have not been installed correctly. |
| Oct 2022 | A3 | RESTRAINING CAPACITY OF THE BELT SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY BE LOWER THAN INTENDED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT |
| Apr 2022 | A3 e-tron | THE FUSE IN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF EXTINGUISHING SAND |
| Sept 2021 | A3 | THE BOLTED CONNECTION ON THE INPUT ROD BETWEEN THE ELECTROMECHANICAL BRAKE SERVO AND BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE COME LOOSE |
| Aug 2019 | A3 | THE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER BELT PULLEY MAY BREAK OR THE HOUSING BOLTS MAY COME LOOSE |
| Feb 2019 | A3 | POSSIBLE DISCREPANCY IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE CENTRE REAR SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT |
| Nov 2018 | A3 | THE MOUNTING FOR THE HEAD RESTRAINT IS NOT CORRECTLY WELDED TO THE OUTER BACKREST FRAME FOR THE REAR SEAT |
| Mar 2018 | A3 | STARTER MOTOR MAY MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT |
| Feb 2018 | A3 | PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED |
| Nov 2017 | A3 | REAR HUB CARRIERS NOT MANUFACTURED TO CORRECT STANDARD |
| Jun 2017 | A3 | ABS/ESC SYSTEM MAY FAIL |
| Dec 2011 | A3 | FUEL MAY LEAK |
| Dec 2009 | A3 | CLUTCH MAY OPERATE INADVERTENTLY WITH UNEXPECTED LOSS OF DRIVE. |
| Sept 2006 | A3 | CURTAIN AIRBAG MAY NOT INFLATE IN A COLLISION |
| Mar 2006 | A3 | FLYWHEEL MAY FAIL FIRE MAY RESULT |
| Mar 2005 | A3 | BOLTS OF THE TANDEM FUEL PUMP COVER MAY BREAK |
| Sept 2003 | A3 | SHATTER CRACKS MAY OCCUR ON A VACUUM PIPE TO BRAKE SERVO |
| Oct 2002 | A3 | AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY |
Every Audi check returns the same structured response. Below are two examples. One with a recall outstanding, and one with a clear record.
1 recall found. Contact the manufacturer or a main dealer to arrange a free repair.
Vehicle
AB21ABC
Audi A3
VIN ABCDE123456F78910
Recall details
Checked 17/05/2026, 10:00:00 (source: SMMT)
Both the DVSA and SMMT databases were checked. Nothing currently outstanding for this VRM.
Vehicle
CD22XYZ
Audi A3
VIN ZYXWV987654U32109
Checked 17/05/2026, 10:00:00 (source: SMMT)
Type the UK registration of the vehicle you want to check.
Single payment. No subscription, no account needed to start.
Combined DVSA + SMMT result appears in seconds and is emailed to you.
Pay as you go
£1.99
per check
No subscription. No account needed to start. Refund issued if a recall status can't be returned.
Enter the vehicle's registration mark (VRM) and pay £1.99. We query the DVSA recall database and the SMMT manufacturer feed in a single request and return the combined result. For most Audi A3 vehicles you'll see whether a recall is outstanding, the source database, and (where available) a description of the recall.
DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) maintains the UK government's official recall register and flags whether a recall is outstanding. SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) aggregates manufacturer-supplied data which often includes the recall description as well as the outstanding flag. Combining both maximises coverage and detail.
Both DVSA and SMMT data sources are continually updated as manufacturers report new safety campaigns. Each check returns a timestamp showing when the data was last verified for that vehicle.
Some vehicles aren't currently listed in either database (very new registrations, very old vehicles, grey imports, and certain commercial variants are the usual reasons). When that happens we'll show "Unknown" and direct you to the manufacturer's recall portal so you can confirm directly. A refund is available if you'd like one.
Contact any authorised franchised dealer for the brand. Manufacturers carry out safety recalls free of charge, regardless of who currently owns the vehicle and regardless of age. You'll typically need the vehicle's VIN; the report includes it where the database returns one.
No account is needed to start a check. After payment we'll email you a magic link so you can access the report any time, and a shareable link if you want to send the result to a buyer, seller, or dealer.
Yes. S3, RS 3, A3 TFSI e (plug-in hybrid) and all S Line / Black Edition trims share the A3 VIN format and recall coverage.
Yes. The 8V A3 Cabriolet (2014–2020) is registered in the UK as an A3 and is covered. The 8Y generation is not offered as a cabriolet.
If your A3 has a 1.6 or 2.0 TDI engine and was built between roughly 2008 and 2015, it was almost certainly part of the EA189 service action. Most affected cars in the UK have had the software update applied; a recall check will confirm whether anything remains outstanding against this specific VIN.
Combined DVSA + SMMT recall data for every UK-registered Audi.
Audi maintains an official recall lookup tool. Our combined check pulls from DVSA and SMMT to give you broader coverage, but you can also check the manufacturer's portal directly.
Combined DVSA + SMMT recall data for every UK-registered manufacturer.