The Dieselgate scandal, which came to light in 2015, involved car manufacturers using illegal software to cheat emissions tests, leading to higher levels of air pollution and harmful emissions being released into the environment. The scandal affected millions of diesel vehicles in the UK, and many individuals and businesses have since sought compensation for the harm caused by the cheating. In this article, we will explore who in the UK can make a claim due to the Dieselgate scandal.
Requirements
Individuals who own or have owned a diesel vehicle affected by the Dieselgate scandal may be eligible to make a claim. This includes those who purchased or leased a vehicle that was fitted with illegal software. The cheating was found to have affected a range of car brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, BMW, Vauxhall and Renault, among others.
Individuals can claim compensation for the loss of value of their vehicle, as well as for any additional costs incurred as a result of the scandal. For example, some individuals may have had to pay more for insurance, road tax, or repairs, or may have suffered from reduced fuel efficiency or higher fuel costs.
Which Diesel Cars Are Eligible
The primary group of vehicles that are eligible for a claim due to the Dieselgate scandal are those manufactured by Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, and Porsche. These vehicles were found to have been fitted with illegal software designed to cheat emissions tests, leading to higher levels of harmful pollutants being released into the environment than were legally allowed.
The affected models include a range of diesel cars and vans, such as the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, Skoda Octavia, and Seat Leon. Owners and lessees of these vehicles may be able to make a claim for compensation for the loss of value of their vehicle, as well as for any additional costs incurred as a result of the scandal.
Outside of the primary group of vehicles affected by the Dieselgate, there may be other diesel vehicles that were affected by the cheating. For example, some models of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Renault diesel vehicles have also been found to exceed emissions limits in real-world driving conditions.
Claims are currently being actively processed against Mercedes, BMW and Vauxhall (and Renault soon). Users can check their diesel claim eligibility against these brands now.
When Can Claims Be Made
When a claim can be made will depend on the brand of car. In the UK, there is a time limit within which claims must be made, known as the statute of limitations. The time limit for making a claim will depend on the type of claim being made and the specific circumstances of the case.
This time frame is generally six years from the date the claimant reasonably could have realised they can make a claim. However, there are various ways this could be defined, so even the deadline is a point of contention. It is important to note that the statute of limitations can be complex and may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
The only brand for which this date may have passed is for VW vehicles. However, if it is argued that the six-years time frame should have started from a separate date, VW claims may open up again.
Legal firms haven’t started legal proceedings against most other brands. At the moment claims are mainly active against Mercedes, BMW and Vauxhall, with Renault soon to join.
Non-Diesel Vehicles
While the Dieselgate scandal primarily affected diesel vehicles, there have been instances of petrol vehicles also exceeding emissions limits. In 2018, Mitsubishi was fined for using illegal emissions testing methods on some of its petrol vehicles.
Owners of petrol vehicles affected by emissions cheating may be able to make a claim for compensation in the future, depending on the extent to which the vehicle exceeded emissions limits and the impact of the cheating on the vehicle’s value and performance.
How Long Does It Take To Get Compensation
If you are considering making a claim for Dieselgate in the UK, it is important to be aware that legal proceedings can take time. The length of time it takes to resolve a claim will depend on a range of factors, including the complexity of the case and whether the case goes to court.
In some cases, it may be possible to settle a claim outside of court through negotiation or mediation. This can be a quicker and less expensive option than going to court.
