In September 2015, Volkswagen admitted that 1.2 million of its vehicles sold in the UK were fitted with a cheat software, as reported by the BBC. The case became known as the VW emissions scandal or “dieselgate”.

Included within these 1.2 million vehicles were cars within the VW brand, Audi, Seat, and Skoda, as well as VW commercial vehicles.

Manufacturers have already paid out over £100m in compensation in the UK in respect of the Diesel Emissions scandal.

What is the VW Emissions Scandal?

The dieselgate scandal, as it is now known, began in September 2015. Volkswagen admitted that it had purposefully inserted software in more than 11 million cars worldwide in order to cheat emissions tests.

They confessed that this “cheat software” had been present in their cars since 2009. The software worked by activating emissions controls only during testing.  While no definitive emissions tests have yet taken place in the UK, researchers in the US found that when tested on the road, some cars emitted almost 40 times the permitted US levels of nitrogen oxides. The permitted levels do differ in the US and the UK

At the time there was a worldwide uproar and regulators in multiple countries began to investigate Volkswagen and their practices. In January 2017, the car manufacturer pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the US, with a US judge ordering VW to pay a $2.8 billion criminal fine for “rigging diesel-powered powered vehicles to cheat the emission tests”.

So far, the VW group has paid out £26bn worldwide in fines and compensation.

What happened with the VW court case in the UK?

Over the course of the scandal, VW has always denied using the prohibited cheat devices in the UK. It has insisted over the years that its customers in the UK have not suffered any loses, so there is not need for any compensation to paid out. This might have changed in March 2020, however.

In March 2020, the High Court of England and Wales handed down a significant judgment which stated that the software used in UK cars was in fact a “defeat device” and that this was binding in the English courts.

The class action was brought on behalf of 90,000 motorists who argued that they were misled by VW who purposefully cheated the emissions test by lowering nitrogen dioxide (NOx) levels under test conditions.

In the preliminary hearing, Mr Justice Waksman stated that:

The software function in issue in this case is indeed a defeat device.

The judge stated that VW’s defence was “highly flawed”, “hopeless”, and “absurd”.

While this is a very important step for motorists, it is not the end of the litigation. A further trial in the UK is expected to determine the liability of VW, along with a decision whether any compensation is to be paid to motorists (though this is likely, considering other cases in Canada, US, Germany, and Australia).

Manufacturers have already paid out over £100m in compensation in the UK in respect of the Diesel Emissions scandal.

What cars were affected by the VW emissions scandal?

Multiple cars across VW and their wider brand were affected.

The VW NOx Emissions Group Litigation related to vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT or Skoda with a 1.2, 1.6 or 2.0 litre EA189 diesel engine, manufactured before 2016.

Other cars may be affected including, Porsche. Whilst no finding or decision has been made in respect of other vehicles such as Porsche, our panel of solicitors are looking into them.

More information on which cars are eligible can be found here –

Volkswagen:     https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/emissionsinfo

Skoda:                https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/dieselinfo/check-your-vehicle

Audi:                   https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/emissions/check-your-car.html

Seat:                    https://www.seat.co.uk/owners/diesel-engines/vin-number.html

Our panel can also advise you if your car has been affected.

Why should you have brought a claim for compensation against VW?

We often get asked why bringing a claim against VW for the dieselgate scandal is so important, and apart from gaining you compensation, there are a few key answers.

Saving The Environment

Volkswagen lied about a dangerous pollutant – NOx. This is responsible for acid rain, global warming, smog and the deterioration of the ozone layer. We believe we need to ensure more vehicle manufacturers do not follow suit by putting profits above your health and the planet.

Corporate Accountability

Volkswagen have often tried to deny their involvement in the scandal with coverups and lies. It is vital to send a message that no company, no matter how big or small, is above the law. Making a claim against VW sends a message that large companies cannot be dishonest to their customers.

Financial Reimbursement

Clients who have been affected may have suffered damages because of it. If they have a valid claim they may be able to make a claim for compensation. In addition to this, Autocar tests have shown that the cars do have a worse fuel economy after the fix.

Saving Your Health

It is not just the environment we need to protect. Studies from the European Federation for Transport and Environment show that traffic pollution costs Europeans an estimated 60 billion euros each year and can be put down to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year. NOx can cause respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, coughing and wheezing.

No Risk To You

The ClaimExperts panel work on a No Win, No Fee basis. Bringing a claim against VW will not cost you anything if you are unsuccessful. If you win, you keep the majority of the compensation and our panel's fee comes out of that.

How much could have I received for a VW emissions claim?

Manufacturers have already paid out over £100m in compensation in the UK in respect of the Diesel Emissions scandal.

How can I begin my VW emissions claim for compensation?

Unfortunately, the Volkswagen Dieselgate claim is now finished and closed for any new claimants. This means you cannot begin your VW emission claim for compensation.

If, however, you bought your car using Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance, then you may have a claim for Mis-sold PCP compensation. To read more about this, visit our specialist website here.