Volkswagen has revealed it is to recall almost 80,000 light commercial vehicles in the UK in the wake of the emissions rigging scandal that has engulfed the manufacturer since 18 September.

The brand said it would recall 79,838 Euro 5 diesel models in the UK “to modify” their engines but claimed new vehicles with Euro 6 engines are not affected.

Volkswagen said: “Step by step affected customers will be contacted, with details of a process to get their vehicles corrected in the near future. In the meantime, all vehicles are technically safe and roadworthy.”

The brand did not give details of the “technical solutions and measures” it plans to undertake “to correct the emissions characteristics” of the vans returned to its dealerships.

VW Commercial Vehicles markets Caddy, Transporter and Crafter vans in the UK as well as the Amarok pick-up truck but has not, as yet, disclosed the numbers of each model affected.

However, a spokeswoman told What Van? the LCVs are powered by 1.6 and 2.0-litre engines with model year dates running from 2009 to 2015.