CAR maker Nissan is recalling 1.2 million vehicles for re-inspection in Japan because they did not go through the proper final checks.

It is estimated that the move is likely to cost the company £165 million

The vehicles were produced between October 2014 and last month A team, including an independent third party, is investigating the cause of the oversight and has promised to prevent it happening again.

The problem does not affect Nissan vehicles sold outside Japan.

The failure is not believed to have affected vehicle safety as they were final-stage checks, according to the Yokohama-based maker of the March subcompact, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models.

Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa told reporters the oversight occurred at all six Nissan plants in Japan. He acknowledged not enough had been done to ensure staff were aware of inspection requirements.

He estimated the recalls and re-inspections would cost Nissan about 25 billion yen (£16m), but stressed final costs are still unclear.

The inspection oversight is a huge embarrassment for Nissan.

The car giant temporarily stopped registering new vehicles in Japan last week, after the government notified the company it had noticed inspection irregularities.