UK Vehicle Recall Check
The 1 Series is BMW's entry-level hatchback and the most affordable way into the brand. Recall activity tracks the wider BMW Group campaigns covering EGR cooler diesel actions and Takata airbags on earlier cars.
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.
The F20 / F21 1 Series was subject to the long-running EGR cooler diesel campaign and the global Takata airbag inflator action. The F40 (current car) shares its platform with the Mini Hatch and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and has been included in joint campaigns covering software, seatbelts and (on M135i cars) high-output engine actions. As a popular UK premium hatch that changes hands often, recall completion against the VIN is the only reliable way to know the current status.
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.
F20 / F21
2011–2019
Last rear-wheel-drive 1 Series. Caught by the EGR cooler diesel campaign and Takata airbag actions.
F40
2019–present
Switched to a front-wheel-drive platform shared with the Mini Hatch and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
A non-exhaustive editorial summary of recent UK safety campaigns. Run a check to see whether any of these apply to a specific vehicle.
F40 1 Series software defect on the M135i variant affecting transmission shift logic under specific driving conditions.
EGR cooler coolant leak on diesel F20 1 Series cars that could cause smouldering or fire under the engine cover. Long-running BMW Group campaign across the diesel range.
EGR cooler coolant leak that, in rare cases, could cause smouldering or fire under the engine cover on diesel models.
Takata airbag inflator replacement on F20 1 Series cars, part of the long-running global Takata campaign.
DVLA-recorded safety recalls affecting the BMW 1 Series. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | 1 SERIES 3 DOOR HATCH | Replace the Driver’s Airbag – Takata PSDI-5 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | Replace the Driver’s Airbag – Takata PSDI-5 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 SERIES COUPE | Replace the Driver’s Airbag – Takata PSDI-5 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 SERIES 5 DOOR HATCH | Replace the Driver’s Airbag – Takata PSDI-5 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 SERIES 5 DOOR HATCH | Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs) |
| Dec 2025 | 1 SERIES COUPE | Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs) |
| Dec 2025 | 1 SERIES 3 DOOR HATCH | Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs) |
| Dec 2025 | 1 SERIES | Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs) |
| Oct 2025 | 1 SERIES 5 DOOR HATCH | Replace the Engine Starter Motor |
| Oct 2025 | 1 SERIES 3 DOOR HATCH | Replace the Engine Starter Motor |
| Oct 2025 | 1 SERIES | Seat Belt Rear Outer Seats |
| Jul 2025 | 1 Series Hatchback | Checking the Threaded Connection of Grounding Cable PCU48 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 Series Hatchback | Rework Front End Threaded Connection (BMW) |
| Oct 2024 | 1 Series Hatch 3dr | Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 SERIES COUPE | Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 Series Hatch 5dr | Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5 |
| Sept 2024 | 1 Series Hatchback | Integrated Braking System |
| May 2024 | 1 SERIES COUPE | Replace VANOS bolts N51 N52 N55 |
| May 2024 | 1 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | Replace VANOS bolts N51 N52 N55 |
Every BMW 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
BMW 1 Series
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
BMW 1 Series
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 BMW 1 Series 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. M135i (F40), M140i (F20) and earlier 1M / 1 Series M Coupé variants all share the 1 Series VIN format and recall coverage in the DVSA and SMMT databases.
No — the 2 Series Active Tourer is a separate model with its own recall coverage, despite sharing a platform with the F40 1 Series. Use the relevant BMW model page for those vehicles.
No. Once a BMW Centre has logged the work against the VIN, the recall is marked as completed. If the report still flags it, the work hasn't yet been recorded for this specific vehicle.
Combined DVSA + SMMT recall data for every UK-registered BMW.
BMW 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.