Volkswagen headquarters raided by German prosecutors as part of investigation

Documents and data storage devices have been targeted by prosecutors

The raid comes almost three weeks after Volkswagen confessed to rigging its emissions tests (Getty)

German prosecutors have raided Volkswagen’s head offices as part of their investigation into the emissions scandal.

Documents and data storage devices have been targeted by prosecutors from Braunschweig, close to the German company's home town of Wolfsburg. Volkswagen has said it is complying with the raid and handing over relevant documents.

The raid comes almost three weeks after Volkswagen confessed to rigging its emissions tests in the US using so-called defeat devices that gave a lower reading of nitrogen oxides emitted by diesel vehicles when the cars were in test scenarios.

The raid in Germany comes the same day as Volkswagen’s US CEO, Michael Horn, stands before the US Congress, where he expected to admit that he knew the defeat devices were being used more than a year ago.

“Let me be clear, we at Volkswagen take full responsibility for our actions and we are working with all relevant authorities in a cooperative way,” Mr Horn is expected to say.

Volkswagen has said that 11 million vehicles have been fitted with defeat devices that pose no threat to vehicle safety, but emit as much as ten times the legal limit of nitrogen oxides, which are toxic to humans.

The company is recalling the affected cars, of which 1.2 million are in the UK, in 2016. The recall is not expected to be complete until the end of next year.

Additional reporting by Reuters