The police are investigating several VRT garages on suspicion of fraud in the issuing of vehicle roadworthiness certificates.

Sources said the police were looking into the number of VRT tests made by certain stations because it was "humanly impossible" that the proper test was conducted for such a large number of cars on a daily basis. Moreover, some VRT stations were being investigated for passing cars that were not even inspected at their garage.

The sources said the investigations began when the police received complaints about the "exaggerated" number of certificates being issued by certain stations.

There are cases of stations it is being alleged that certified 600 cars in one month.

The sources said a test took between 18 and 25 minutes to complete, if everything was done the right way and without cutting any corners.

This meant that at an average of 20 minutes per test, the VRT stations should be testing a maximum of three cars every hour or 24 cars a day.

Logistically, the sources said, it was impossible that the suspected garages were conducting tests the way they should have done.

The sources said Transport Malta was assisting the police in their investigations. There are about 40 VRT stations around Malta, with some arguing this is too many for them to be viable. The VRT machinery involves a substantial investment.

The police investigations are being led by Assistant Commissioner Michael Cassar.

It is understood the Fraud Squad is monitoring the number of VRT certificates being issued by individual VRT stations.