I worked at Volkswagen and hated it when we had customers in for the recalls. The amount of time it couldn't be done due to faults found on the diagnostic check just got customers mad. I would always advise people not to have the emissions recalls done as it wasn't worth the risk in my eyes.
The road tax situation is a joke. I mean my Audi is now in semi retirement so doesn't do anywhere near the miles it once did but tax is still £250. That's the same with my old Ford escort which is slightly higher than that! And the escort only comes out occasionally, weather dependent of course.
Yet a Prius can have free road tax due to hybrid yet the petrol engine is worse for the environment.