When a vehicle is subject to a recall due to a defect which could endanger safety, manufacturers and distributors endeavour to contact all registered owners with the assistance of data from my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF). During 2009 the NVDF provided details on 170,712 vehicles covering 82 recall events and to date in 2010 details have been supplied in respect of 35,000 vehicles for 17 recalls. Recall details in respect of earlier years are not currently available due to industrial action.
It will be noted that there may also be some recall events where NVDF data is not required because manufacturers have ownership particulars from their own records.
Following the international recall earlier this year of a significant numbers of cars by one of the two companies referred to by the Deputy, a briefing document from the management of that company was sent to my Department in order to assist in responding to queries that might arise.