takata airbag — Approximately 1,600 appointments have been scheduled by 31 October for corrective measures related to Takata airbag recalls, according to Giorgos Louka, Director General of the Road Transport Department.
- “We recognise the inconvenience, but this is for the common good,” Louka noted, reiterating the need for prompt action.
- Police confirmed that they will continue applying driving prohibition measures and direct drivers to use tow trucks when vehicles face immediate immobilisation or have serious mechanical issues.
The department suspended MOT certificates for vehicles with pending airbag replacement recalls from 3 October, based on the eight-month deadline established under Circular 8/2025 issued in February 2025. Vehicles with appointments scheduled by 31 October received temporary suspension extensions.
As of 30 September, there were still outstanding cases for around 16,900 vehicles, representing roughly 20 per cent of the original 81,000 affected vehicles. This indicates significant mobilisation in recent days, with Toyota alone scheduling 1,300 additional appointments following increased owner response.
Data reveals that Toyota vehicles account for the largest number of outstanding cases, with approximately 5,000 owners failing to respond. Honda reported that around 2,000 vehicles still await action from their owners.
“While Toyota had scheduled around 300 appointments, mobilisation over the past one to two days made it possible to arrange another 1,300 appointments before the deadline expires,” Louka told the Cyprus News Agency.
Louka urged vehicle owners who have not yet responded to take action, emphasising the importance of addressing safety concerns. “Recalls are part of everyday life; we as consumers must take care,” he said. He added that this particular recall concerns a safety hazard and called on the public to proceed with corrective measures.
“We recognise the inconvenience, but this is for the common good,” Louka noted, reiterating the need for prompt action.
In recent days, the department has received numerous calls regarding the issue. Louka instructed owners to verify the expiry of their vehicle’s recall through the department’s website and to take corrective measures before the deadline arrives.
He also encouraged the public to contact dealers and manufacturers about any type of recall, though he noted that companies have an obligation to inform consumers. The urgency of the safety issue surrounding these recalls was made clear by Louka’s appeal for immediate action.
Once the airbag replacements are completed, vehicles whose MOT certificates have been suspended must undergo the MOT procedure again, which adds to the administrative burden for non-compliant vehicle owners.
In terms of enforcement, police announced that for cases involving suspended MOT certificates, where immediate immobilisation does not apply, officers will issue traffic fines and encourage drivers to address any defects to allow for MOT certificate renewal.
Police confirmed that they will continue applying driving prohibition measures and direct drivers to use tow trucks when vehicles face immediate immobilisation or have serious mechanical issues.
