BMW is recalling 1.3m cars globally amid fears 5-series and 6-series models could catch fire. This is for model year 2003-2010 cars. 

BMW said: "In some remote cases, the battery cable inside the boot may be incorrectly mounted.  This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire."

Fewer than 1 per cent of cars inspected so far have exhibited the problem. BMW said it had received nine reports of the defect. An official said: "no injuries to a person have been reported to us."

The car maker will write to owners of all cars affected. It said checks will take around 30mins and be free of charge.

The recall affects around 368,000 cars in America, 283,000 in Germany, 109,000 in Britain and a further 102,000 in China.

In India, as many as 3,422 cars are affected by this recall. BMW will replace a battery-cable cover in these cars as part of the recall exercise. This is the biggest recall by BMW in India.