Peugeot is asking owners of 406 saloons built after March 1999 to contact their local dealers after BBC TV's Watchdog programme revealed a problem with the boot security - an action described by the car-maker as “irresponsible”.

French drivers were issued with a recall on July 2 this year because the part was readily available to the influential domestic market. A spokesman says Peugeot planned to issue a UK recall but was waiting until it had sufficient parts.

Now, 60,000 cars will be recalled with owners asked to contact their local dealer to arrange for the boot modification to be carried out, which takes about 30 minutes, free of charge.

“We feel it was irresponsible of the BBC to broadcast the programme,” a spokesman says. “It sent a message to the criminal fraternity that every 406 - estates and Coupes and not just saloons - is a possible target. This did not serve to help the needs of the consumer.”

The outgoing 406 will be replaced by the 407 in the next two years but Peugeot says the problem has been rectified on models built since June this year. A concept version of the new 407, based on the versatile PF3 platform that underpins the Citroen C5, is expected to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show.