A million UK vehicles hit by VW con - including Skodas and Seats

1.1 million Volkswagen vehicles in the UK are affected by the diesel emissions scandal

The German car-maker said it would inform customers how to get their vehicles “corrected in the near future”.

The number of affected vehicles in the UK per brand are:

• Volkswagen cars 508, 276

• Audi 393,450

• Seat: 76,773

• Skoda: 131,569

• Volkswagen commercial vehicles: 79,838

Volkswagen Group UK announced its plan to “modify” diesel vehicles with EA 189 engines.

VW scandal: The key facts that you need to know

It said that the details of affected cars would be released to retailers “in the coming days” while a “self-serve process” will be set up for customers to check if their vehicle needs a refit.

A VW statement read: “Step by step, affected customers will be contacted, with details of a process to get their vehicles corrected in the near future.

“In the meantime, all vehicles are technically safe and roadworthy.”

VW admitted that 11 million of its diesel vehicles worldwide were fitted with defeat device software which conned testers into believing their vehicles met environmental standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency said 482,000 of VW’s 2009-15 models in the US were fitted with the sophisticated software, which switches engines to a cleaner mode when they are undergoing official testing.

Once on the road the cars produced nitrogen oxide pollutants at up to 40 times the legal standard.

The Department for Transport has launched an investigation which will include retesting to compare laboratory results with real-world driving emissions.

VW said it would present its technical solutions to the relevant authorities in October.

It added that it was “committed to supporting its customers and its retailers through the coming weeks”.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The Government’s priority is to protect the public and I understand VW are contacting all UK customers affected. I have made clear to the managing director this needs to happen as soon as possible.

“The Government expects VW to set out quickly the next steps it will take to correct the problem and support owners of these vehicles already purchased in the UK.”