UPDATE, October 9: VGA has confirmed that a further 6444 Volkswagen passenger vehicles, in addition to the 54,745 initially reported, have been found to be affected. This article has been updated to reflect the new data.

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83,593 vehicles affected by 'diesel emissions issue'

Online tool for checking status of affected vehicles made available to owners

Vehicles not yet found to be affected also listed UPDATE, October 8: Volkswagen owners can check their status here: www.volkswagendieselinfo.com.au, Skoda owners here: www.skoda.com.au/dieselinfo/pages/dieselinfo.aspx. Customers can also call on, Volkswagen: 1800 607 822, Skoda: 1800 607 540. For further details, see our article below. Audi owners can check their status here: http://www.audi.com.au/au/brand/en/owners/diesel-service-activity.html. For more information, see our separate article here. October 7: Volkswagen Group Australia has announced availability of an online tool that will allow owners of Volkswagen and Skoda models to check if their vehicle is powered by the EA189 diesel engine installed with software designed to cheat emissions tests.

The release of the online tool, available at the consumer websites for each brand, follows the launch earlier this week of an identical service in overseas markets. Using the tool, owners can enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for their Volkswagen or Skoda, which will then confirm their status. Customers can also, however, contact the help lines for Volkswagen and Skoda by phone if they would prefer. Although the system will allow owners to know if their vehicle is affected, an actual technical solution remains unavailable for the time-being. For now, the Volkswagen group has confirmed only that it intends to recall millions of affected models around the world. Speaking with press and employees in Germany this week, new Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller said that “in many instances a software update will be sufficient”, but that in other cases, “hardware modifications” may also be required.

It remains unclear at this stage if models treated to a software update to meet emissions regulations will suffer any power and performance impact in the process. Mueller also stressed that affected models have never posed any practical danger to occupants. “At no time was the safety of our customers compromised,” he said. The new CEO, who moved into the top spot from Porsche after the resignation of former Volkswagen Group chief Martin Winterkorn, said the company must now push to rebuild its integrity, “not just on paper, but any time, anywhere”. “We will make every effort to make very sure that the rules are respected by everyone. “This Group and its brands stand for sustainability, for responsibility, for credibility. At the moment, much of that seems to have been deeply shaken. But: together with you, I am determined to prove that our values remain our guide. And that Volkswagen, that each one of us, deserves the trust of people everywhere.”

MORE: All 'dieselgate' news coverage In a statement today, Volkswagen Group Australia managing director John White said that the carmaker’s local arm is taking the issue “extremely seriously”. “Volkswagen Group Australia takes this issue extremely seriously and is continuing to gather all the facts from our head office to support any rectification plans in Australia,” White said. “We understand the disappointment and frustration felt by our customers, dealers and partners in Australia and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. “We are doing everything possible to fix the problem and will be making further

announcements in the near future.

“It is important for customers to note that all affected vehicles remain technically safe and driveable and that we will contact them in time to advise what the next steps are,” Number of vehicles sold by VGA in Australia affected by the diesel emissions issue, per brand: Volkswagen Passenger Cars – 61,189

Golf (2009-2013)

Polo (2009-2014)

Jetta (2010-2015)

Passat CC (2008-2012)

Volkswagen CC (2011-2015)

Passat (2008-2015)

Eos (2008-2014)

Tiguan (2008-2015) Skoda – 5,148

Octavia (2009-2013)

Yeti (2011-2015)

Superb (2009-2015) Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – 17,256

Caddy (2010-2015)

Amarok (2011-2012)

New diesel Volkswagen Golf 7, Touareg, Amarok (post-2012), Transporter and Crafter models are currently listed as “not affected”. New diesel Skoda Octavia generation 3 models currently listed as “not affected” Affecting diesel models only, all petrol models are likewise listed as “not affected” To check the status of your vehicle, visit or call: www.volkswagendieselinfo.com.au, www.skoda.com.au/dieselinfo/pages/dieselinfo.aspx and www.volkswagen-commercial.com.au.

Volkswagen customers can also contact the customer call centre on 1800 607 822, and

Skoda customers can call 1800 607 540.