A German probe into the emissions readings of leading carmakers also uncovered anomalies at French giant Renault, a German government source told AFP on Friday.

Around 630,000 Audi, Mercedes, Opel, Porsche and Volkswagen cars are being recalled in Europe owing to irregularities in their emission of pollutants, following an investigation launched in the wake of the Volkswagen engine-rigging scandal.

But inconsistencies were also found in Renault's engines. And as a French company, Renault did not come under the jurisdiction of the German transport authority, the source said.