Porsche Chile, the local concessionaire, meanwhile said it is temporarily halting sales of models affected by the order.
Five Volkswagen, six Audi and 12 Skoda models were singled out by the Transport Ministry, which said it was withdrawing technical certificates that allow those vehicles to be driven without inspections.
It said the measure would remain in effect until the problem was corrected.
Volkswagen has admitted that software designed to "defeat" emissions controls was installed in 11 million of its diesel-fueled vehicles.
Its Chilean concessionaire has informed the government that the emissions "defeat" software was installed in nearly 1,600 vehicles in Chile.
"As of today and in agreement with the pertinent authorities, it has been decided to temporarily postpone the sale of all the affected models as a preventive measure," Porsche Chile said in a statement.