As a result, the carmaker has said that implementation of the measures will start in late January 2016.

The fix, which covers affected EA189 series 1.2-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines, covers two separate measures within Europe.

The 1.2-litre and 2.0-litre engines will receive a software update, with the fix to take just under half an hour.

The 1.6-litre engines will also get a software update but will also have a "flow rectifier" fitted right in front of the air mass sensor. The labour time for implementing these measures will be less than an hour.

The technical measures will be implemented on the affected 2.0-litre engines from the first quarter of 2016, with work on the affected 1.2-litre engines scheduled for the end of the second quarter and the 1.6-litre engines to follow in the third quarter.

Volkswagen added that as a result of the measures, the vehicles would fulfil the applicable emissions standards, “with the aim of achieving this without any impairment of engine output, fuel consumption or performance”.

The manufacturer has already said it will compensate customers for any fall residual values but hasn’t announced any details on this. However, it did say that any customers inconvenienced by the recalls would be provided with “an appropriate replacement mobility option”.

Volkswagen added the approval for the measures was an “important step towards resolving the NOx emissions issue in Europe” and said that vehicle keepers will shortly be informed about the next steps.