In all, 53,761 are VW branded vehicles, including commercial vehicles, 31,839 are Audi automobiles, and 8,800 are Skodas.


SIVA stressed that "the problems recognised do not affect the safety of the vehicles in question nor do their represent any danger for traffic". It added that all new vehicles on sale in Portugal meet the legal requirements relating to environmental standards currently in force.


VW and all the group brands affected are next month to submit the technical solutions proposed for the vehicles for the EA189 diesel motor in question.


The company last week admitted that 11 million of its diesel vehicles worldwide had been fitted with software that activates pollution controls during tests, while automatically switches them off when driving in normal conditions. It now faces huge fines in the US, where the scandal was discovered, and investigations in countries around the world.


The controversy has already led to a string of resignations at the group, including that of its chairman.