Renault has reiterated its innocence after French prosecutors announced they will investigate the vehicle manufacturer over suspected 'cheating' in emissions tests.

Following a diesel emissions scandal involving Volkswagen, French experts found high levels of emissions from diesel engines of several carmakers, including Renault, the Paris prosecutors office said on Friday.

Prosecutors have ordered an investigation into “cheating on key parts (of vehicles)” and into the quality of the tests carried out.

The announcement led Renault to issue a statement which said: "Renault vehicles are all and have always been homologated in accordance with the laws and regulations.

"They are compliant with the applicable standards. Renault complies with French and European regulations.

"Renault vehicles are not equipped with cheating software affecting anti-pollution systems."

Last week, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles was also accused of cheating diesel emission tests, rwith the UK saying it was urgently seeking information from the US Environmental Protection Agency after it accused the company of illegally using hidden software to allow excess diesel emissions to go undetected.