Vauxhall under criminal investigation over hundreds of Zafiras that burst into flames

First fire was reported in 2009 but company did not begin investigating until 2015 after 161 incidents had been reported

After 226,000 of the vehicles were recalled in 2015, a number that were sent back to the public also caught fire (PA)

Vauxhall is the subject of a criminal investigation into hundreds of fires that broke out in its popular Zafira model.

The manufacturer became aware as early as September 2014 of a potentially fatal pattern of cars bursting into flames, but did not begin investigating until August 2015 after 161 fires had been reported.

The government agency that investigates car safety has now confirmed that a criminal investigation is underway, in partnership with Trading Standards in Luton where Vauxhall is based. The probe began in October.

The Driver and Vehicle Safety Authority is understood to be investigating who at Vauxhall knew what and when.

Andy Rice, DVSA head of counter-fraud and investigations, said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

“We have made it clear to manufacturers that to protect consumers, they should swiftly rectify problems and meet their obligations under the code of practice.

“DVSA will take the necessary action against any manufacturers who fail to comply with their obligations.”

Parliament’s Transport Committee found that Vauxhall prematurely attributed the fires to poor maintenance work by third parties.

“Vauxhall’s decision to continue to let people drive affected cars amounts to a reckless disregard for safety,” the committee wrote in a report last year.

After a recall of 226,000 Zafiras in December 2015, a number of vehicles that had been checked by Vauxhall and sent back out caught fire.

The company became aware of this by 2 February 2016 but did not inform the DVSA until more than two weeks later.

“The apparent lack of notification is one of a number of aspects of Vauxhall’s behaviour that DVSA is investigating,” the agency said.

The committee said Vauxhall knew there was a risk of fire because of corrosion to part of the car’s heating system. The company changed its guidance for engineers to look for this corrosion, the committee said.

In May 2016 Vauxhall issued another recall of 234,000 Zafiras, a move the company described at the time as “preventative action”.

A spokesperson for Vauxhall said on Wednesday that 92 per cent of cars affected by the fault had now been recalled. The company did not comment on the investigation.