OVER 130,000 BMW drivers have not been told their motors are at risk of bursting into flames.

The German car giant vowed to tell drivers about the potentially lethal fault last October - but only half of all owners have been notified.

The Daily Mail claim the fault affects up to 250,000 cars in the UK - and up to 1.6m worldwide.

An engineering error - which affects 12 models - means the flammable coolant can leak onto the scalding exhaust system - potentially triggering an explosive fire.

BMW is facing a criminal investigation in South Korea over delays in contacting drivers.

Labour MP Graham Stringer vowed: "The facts are very disturbing. BMW has not got a very good record on safety recalls.

"I will write to the Secretary of State for Transport to ask what action will be taken. I also hope the transport committee will look at this as life and limb is at risk."

BMW admitted last night that only 130,000 letters have been posted - meaning that 138,000 drivers have not been personally informed.

A BMW spokesman told the Mail: "The BMW Group is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation (in South Korea).

"A pattern only became visible over time. Based on this, we swiftly determined a fix to eliminate the root cause."

Neil Barlow, of the DVSA, added: "We continue to push BMW to make contact with owners so their cars can be assessed."