29 October 2025
On 21 October 2025, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published a product safety report covering certain models of outboard motors produced by Mercury Marine. GOV.UK Below is a detailed breakdown of the recall: what the issue is, which products are affected, what risk is posed, and what the corrective action involves.
Summary of the recall
- The product: the Mercury Marine 450R and 500R outboard motors.
- Hazard: These motors present a risk of finger injury because users could trap their fingers in the top-cowl air vents during use.
- The non-compliance: These motors “do not meet the requirements of the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017”.
- Action taken: A modification programme - Mercury Marine will supply a bezel assembly to cover the top air vents, and consumers are advised to take affected boats to an authorised dealer for installation.
Which models are affected
- Brand: Mercury Marine (origin: United States)
- Models:
- 450R with serial numbers 1E083006 to 1E099696
- 500R with serial numbers 1E099432 to 1E102508
- Product category: Recreational craft – watercraft outboard motors.
Risk and hazard description
The issue: The top cowl of the engine has air vents. Users during normal use may unintentionally place fingers in or near these vents, and the design as supplied allows the possibility of them being trapped. This poses a physical injury risk (finger entrapment) which is clearly unacceptable for an outboard motor used in marine environments.
Because of this hazard, the product fails to satisfy the relevant safety regulation (in this case, the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017) in the UK.
Corrective action & what owners should do
- Mercury Marine is supplying a bezel assembly that covers the top air vents on the affected models.
- Owners of affected motors are advised to contact their dealer:
- For UK / importer support: the UK importer is E. P. Barrus Ltd; contact via customerservices@barrus.co.uk.