From next Monday, motorists will be able to check online if their vehicles are affected by any recalls over safety flaws.

They can do so by keying in their vehicle registration number and identification number on the the new Vehicle Recall System (VRS), which can be found on the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) motoring portal at www.onemotoring.com.sg.

The system will include info on recalls over the past six months.

According to a report in The Straits Times today, the number of safety recalls has risen since it became mandatory in 2003 to declare them. In 2002, there were 17 recalls affecting 4,500 vehicles. Between 2003 and last year, however, there were 58 recalls affecting 52,000 vehicles a year.

For motorists, the system means improved road safety as they will be infomed sooner to get their vehicles repaired, said the LTA. It cost about $300,000 and one year to develop the VRS.

For motor traders, the new service makes reporting recalls easier than through the current manual method.

It is also expected to help them save money as traders will be able to find out if a car has been scrapped or exported so they do not import parts for it. Previously, up to 20 per cent of parts were unused because of such situations.

Kah Motor and Nissan distributor Tan Chong are the first to join the system. Recalls affecting more than 7,000 Honda Odysseys, more than 500 Honda Jazzes and about 3,000 old Nissan Marches are expected to be reported on the system, according to a Straits Times report.

Motorists can use the service for free, while motor traders will be charged a fee after its first year of operation.