The UK is among seven nations subject to legal action from the European Union (EU) over their failure to take action against Volkswagen over the dieselgate scandal.

In the US legal action against the brand has seen 652 retailers promised a share of $1.2 billion as part of a $16.5 billion package that will see consumers have their vehicles repaired or bought-back (in addition to $10,000 compensation) by the German brand.

The EU has expressed its disapproval of a lack of action by its member states, however, and has given the UK, Germany, Spain, Luxembourg two months to respond to allegations that they have failed to take proper action against the company in the interests of the public.

The Czech Republic, Lithuania and Greece, meanwhile, are being hauled up for not even including the possibility of fining carmakers over similar violations in their legislation.

The European Commission also plans to bring Germany and the UK to account refusing to share the findings of their own investigations into potential emissions breaches.

A spokesman for the UK’s Ministry of Transport told Reuters: "The UK will be responding in the strongest possible terms (to the EU action).”

European consumer lobby BEUC praised the action by the EU, however, stating not enough had been done to protect EU citizens. "It is a strong rebuke of Germany and other countries' inaction," said BEUC head Monique Goyens.