Mercedes-Benz has settled a case with the US justice department and environmental protection agency (EPA) over claims some of its vehicles were fitted with faulty emissions controlling equipment.

The company has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle the claim, after it had been accused of failing to inform the EPA about the defective nature of some of its catalysts in its vehicles, meaning that some cars were producing far more harmful emissions than was acceptable.

The claims surrounded the emissions equipment on several Mercedes models between 1998 and 2006.

"Reliable and effective automobile pollution control systems are essential to protect human health and the environment from harmful automobile emissions," commented Sue Ellen Wooldridge, Assistant Attorney General at the US justice department's environment and natural resources division.

Mercedes has already issued a voluntary recall of the affected vehicles, which is believed to have cost the firm in the region of $59 million, according to the EPA.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd