Transport Malta last year received 13,234 SMSs about vehicles producing excessive emissions. 262 vehicles were tested of which 32 failed.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi explained in Parliament that Transport Malta only called vehicles for tests when it received three SMSs about them from separate numbers within three months.
When a car failed the first emission test, a second appointment was given and the owner was fined.
The process continued until the vehicle passed the test.
If an owner failed to take his vehicle for test twice, the vehicle licence would not be renewed until it passed the test.
The minister was replying to a question in Parliament by Ryan Callus (PN).