THE Vehicle Inspectorate has launched an investigation after consumer magazine Which? revealed that two of the five Citroen garages it visited in a survey failed to pick up illegal emissions levels from a faulty three-year-old Xantia. Which? has called for the Vehicle Inspectorate to inspect Citroen garages nationwide - and to consider a wider inquiry to establish whether there are similar problems at other manufacturers' franchised dealers.

Which? took a Xantia 1.8 SX with a catalyst system fault to a total of five Citroen garages. Two of these were among six garages visited with the Xantia as part of a wider investigation into MoT testing. Of those six, two passed it for emissions. As a result Which? took the car to three more Citroen garages (not included in the general MoT investigation). One passed it for emissions.

A Citroen spokesman said: 'Matters relating to an MoT test are between the Vehicle Inspectorate and the garage concerned. We have not been contacted by the Vehicle Inspectorate, but we will of course be pleased to co-operate if they require our assistance.'

The wider Which? MoT investigation found that only two out of 36 garages visited carried out the MoT test completely correctly. Half failed cars on items which should have passed.