A new study has revealed that there is a serious breakdown in communication between automakers and used car dealers, specifically when it comes to the topic of safety recalls.

The research, done by the Government Accountability Office, finds that many vehicles do not get properly repaired when a recall is issued, mostly because they are in the hands of used car dealers. Most of the time, this is not the dealer's fault. Once a car has moved on past its original owner, the automaker has little way of tracking the car down and notifying the owner of a recall.

This means that there are many used cars sitting on dealer lots that haven't undergone necessary safety repairs. The report found that only 60 to 65 percent of recalled vehicles actually get the repair work done, according to the Associated Press. This figure varies with the automaker – some have repair rates as high as 90 percent, while others are as low as 23 percent.

Dealers and those shopping for a used car thus need to keep up with the latest recall news to ensure that any vehicle being bought or sold has had the proper maintenance work. Recall repairs are free, so there's no reason not to get it done.

Drivers in the market for a used car may want to look into auto financing options to help them with their purchase – right after they ensure that the vehicle is not subject to any recalls.