EU ministers agree on new car sale rules following diesel scandal

EU ministers have agreed on draft new rules for approving car sales after a car manufacturer was found to be cheating on emissions tests.

The new rules aim to prevent a repeat of emissions scandals by manufacturers and will give the European Commission the power to fine cheating manufacturers directly.

Before the rules can become law, they have to be discussed with the European Parliament.

These rules are in response to the 2015 dieselgate scandal when German carmaker Volkswagen was found to have used software to cheat US diesel emission tests.

Under the present system, national bodies such as Germany's KBA authority, have the power to clear new vehicles for the whole European Union and can also revoke those licences.

However, the new rules will let other national authorities review decisions and also gives the European Commission the power to carry out spot checks and fine manufacturers up to 30,000 euros per vehicle if they are found to be cheating.