47 cars under 20 brands set to be recalled over 'invisible killer'

47 different car models made under 20 brands by 11 vehicle manufacturers are suspected of being more polluting than originally thought, though the names of the cars involved have yet to be revealed, it has been reported.

The Times reports the investigation comes nine years after the Volkswagen ‘Dieselgate’ scandal in which the German car maker installed ‘cheat devices’ into diesel models to trick official tests into recording lower emissions levels.

Environmental law group ClientEarth last year entered a legal complaint to ministers to try and find out how many cars by other manufacturers might have the devices in the UK. The group says that anywhere between two and six million cars are still on the road with the cheat devices fitted.

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The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed to the Times that it has begun the first phase of an investigation in a response to a freedom of information request by ClientEarth. "Excess emissions from vehicles are contributing to air pollution, which we know is the biggest threat to public health in the UK," said Emily Kearsey, a lawyer at ClientEarth.

"This is an invisible killer that’s shortening people’s lives and reducing their quality of life. Consumers and the public have been let down by previous governments." Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned further details of how the investigation would impact the UK market has yet to emerge.

He explained: “The Department for Transport has a statutory duty to undertake regular market surveillance and industry helps, where appropriate, their compliance programmes. We are aware of a decision made by the European Court of Justice that brought into question the existing certification of vehicles approved for sale by governments across Europe over a number of years and are working with the department to understand what, if any, implications there may be for the UK.”