Raids have been carried out on Hyundai and Kia’s European offices as authorities investigate suspicions that over 210,000 diesel vehicles may have been fitted with illegal defeat devices.

The Frankfurt state prosecutor's office confirmed today (June 28) that searches had been carried out at eight properties linked to the Korean carmaker in Germany and Luxembourg.

Reuters reported that the engine software allegedly central to the investigations is thought to have come from suppliers Bosch, and Delphi, which is owned by the BorgWarner group.

Today’s operation was coordinated by the European Union agency Eurojust.

A statement issued by Hyundai to AM stated: “On Tuesday 28th June the Hyundai Motor Europe premises in Offenbach were visited by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Staatsanwaltschaft) for Offenbach.