100,000 Scots drivers among 1.2m facing VW recall

The company has admitted 11 million vehicles worldwide were fitted with software used to con testers. Picture: AFP/Getty

SOME 100,000 drivers in Scotland are thought to be among nearly 1.2 million in the UK who will have their diesel Volkswagen models recalled over the emissions scandal.

VW said their vehicles would be “corrected” because they are fitted with the software used to cheat pollution testing.

Volkswagen UK announces plan to correct vehicle emissions

The German car-maker said they comprised 508,276 Volkswagen cars, 393,450 Audis, 131,569 Skodas, 79,838 VW commercial vehicles and 76,773 Seats. Affected models include some VW Golfs, Passats and Tiguans.

However, VW has not said what the modification will involve for the 1,189,906 UK vehicles with EA 189 engines.

The firm said: “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.”

Scottish motoring journalist Alan Douglas said: “Passats and Golfs are popular in Scotland. There are a large number of Skodas here too, which are very popular with private hire taxis, and many of them would be in the right age range. The total number of affected vehicles here is probably around the 100,000 mark, or perhaps even more.”

The Scottish Government wants to discuss a co-ordinated response with its UK counterpart. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “It is outrageous consumers and government have been misled over vehicle emissions and we must have immediate answers and redress from the manufacturers involved.

“We are seeking to establish how many vehicles in Scotland are affected and over what period of time these vehicles have been adjusted.”

The UK Department for Transport has launched an investigation, including re-testing.

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

This switches engines to a cleaner mode during official testing, but on the road they produced up to 40 times the nitrogen oxide pollutant limit.

Institute of Advanced Motorists policy director Neil Greig said: “We are pleased VW have moved quickly to resolve this issue. If you have a recalled car, it will be in your interest to have it rectified as future purchasers will probably be checking the work has been done.”