Ford and Mercedes models will be investigated by French authorities checking for illegal engine emissions.
They have found one Renault which may have breached limits for technical reasons.
The Mercedes S class 350 that was examined gave inconsistent results while the Ford C-Max had emissions five times above the allowable limit, the paper Les Echos has reported. Technicians tested Euro 6 versions of both cars.
Les Echos said the vehicles underwent three tests: the standard NEDC examination used to establish whether vehicles meet European limits, plus a road test that is not currently part of the official EU procedure, as well as a test to check whether the vehicle used a defeat device.
Government inspectors plan to examine 100 vehicles and have tested 22 so far, according to Les Echos. The Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q3 models that were tested had defeat software while a Peugeot 208, a BMW 3 series and unnamed Toyota showed no particular problems, the paper said.
