The Transport Select Committee has launched an inquiry to examine whether the vehicle type approval testing is fit for purpose.

In September 2015, Volkswagen admitted to cheating tests for emissions of nitrogen oxides.

Further investigations have revealed that Volkswagen had also understated CO2 emissions and overstated fuel efficiency for 800,000 vehicles.

The chair of the Transport Committee, Louise Ellman, said: "The Volkswagen scandal has raised serious concerns about whether vehicle type approval testing is fit for purpose.

“We heard evidence in October that the gap between emissions detected in test conditions and those detected in the real world significant. The testing procedure is clearly inadequate.”

The Committee is asking for submissions of evidence on the effectiveness for type approval, clarification on how a real world driving emissions test will differ from the current testing, further details on the gap between emissions detected in tests and real world conditions, whether the newly proposed test goes far enough and how the role of type approval can drive change in levels of safety, emissions and performance.

The deadline for written submissions is December 7.