How Do I Tell if a Used Car Was Recalled?

How Do I Tell if a Used Car Was Recalled?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), some 34 million vehicles were recalled in 2023 alone. Do those vehicles include a specific used car you’re thinking of buying? Well, that can be as easy to discover as it is important to know. It’s a good thing, too, because sellers – whether dealerships or private individuals – usually don’t have a legal duty to tell buyers if a given car for sale has been recalled.

How Do I Look up Vehicle Recall Information?

Although many automakers do have their own online tools for checking on recalls, it’s probably best to go straight to the source: NHTSA. This is the organization in charge of issuing recalls in the United States, and you can find all kinds of interesting information about vehicle safety on the NHTSA.gov website. To see if a vehicle has been recalled, check out the online lookup tool with:

• A vehicle identification number or

• The license plate number and issuing state or

• The year/make/model of the car

You’ll quickly be able to find out if your car has been recalled, what the problem is, what the remedy is, and more

Are Recalls Listed on Carfax Reports?

Yes, a typical vehicle history report, from Carfax or another company, will generally include information about recalls. But it’s still a second-hand source. Given that it only takes seconds to search for recalls with NHTSA, double-checking just makes sense.

Should I Buy a Used Car with a Recall?

Deciding whether to buy a recalled used car should be done on a case-by-case basis, but the key point to keep in mind is that a recall shouldn’t automatically knock a vehicle off your shopping list. In fact, a recall can sometimes work to your advantage. For example, if you’re looking at a car with a relatively minor recall problem, you could use that fact to try to negotiate for a lower price.

Plus, recall work on a vehicle is almost always free, regardless of whether you’re the first owner or someone who purchases the vehicle further on down the line.

Tips for Selling a Used Car with a Recall

Trying to sell a used car with an open recall? First, consider having the recall addressed before you sell since – as mentioned – it will probably be free. Getting your car fixed will also mean there’s one less issue for a potential buyer to worry about. 

If that’s not possible, it’s a good idea to be honest upfront with your buyers even if you live in a state that doesn’t require a recall disclosure. Not only is that the right thing to do, but it will give your potential customers more confidence that you’re not trying to somehow scam them. Remember, many customers will use NHTSA’s simple recall tool to check for themselves anyway, and those folks will know if you’re telling the truth. 

Now that you know more about recalls, you can start shopping here, start selling here, and enjoy the whole HMSMC site from wherever you have an Internet connection.