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If you owned or leased a diesel vehicle between 2009 and 2022, you could be entitled to compensation – even if you’ve sold the car.
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What Is the Diesel Emissions Scandal and How Do I Claim?
What Is the Diesel Emissions Scandal?
The diesel emissions scandal, known as "dieselgate," began in 2015. The Volkswagen Group confessed that it used defeat devices in several million diesel cars. These software tools were designed to cheat emissions tests. Because of this, the cars appeared cleaner on paper than they really were when driven in everyday situations.
Since then, several car manufacturers have faced accusations of using similar technology. This scandal affected millions of diesel cars sold between 2008 and 2020. It includes cars from Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Fiat Chrysler, Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën.
Why This Matters to Vehicle Owners
- You may have been fooled into purchasing a diesel vehicle that said it was low-emission or fuel-efficient, but it really wasn't.
- These vehicles can emit illegal amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx). This adds to dangerous air pollution and harms public health.
- As a result, there are financial damages like lower resale values, higher upkeep costs, and drops in fuel efficiency.
If you have or rent one of these affected vehicles, you could be able to claim for diesel emissions. This claim may help you recover your financial loss.
How to Start a Diesel Emissions Claim
The process is simple and safe. We have a conditional fee agreement, which is also called no win, no fee. This means you will only pay legal fees if you win your claim.
- Use our free eligibility checker
- Enter your vehicle registration number
- We will see if your car is on the affected list
- A panel of solicitors will look into your case and assist you
- You can claim between £10,000 and £16,000 depending on the vehicle and time period
Even if you no longer own the vehicle or it was a company car, you may still be able to make a legal claim.
The Environmental Impact of Diesel Emissions
Why Diesel Emissions Are a Serious Problem
Diesel engines let out nitrogen oxides (NOx). These are harmful to the environment. They create several issues, including:
- Air pollution
- Global warming
- Acid rain
- Breathing problems, like asthma, bronchitis, and other serious lung issues
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that NOx is a major source of toxic fumes. It contributes significantly to several breathing problems, particularly for those living in cities.
In the UK, too much diesel emissions are believed to lead to more than 40,000 early deaths each year. This is due to health issues linked to poor air quality.
How the Emissions Scandal Increased the Harm
Vehicles involved in the diesel emissions scandal emitted as much as 40 times more NOx than UK and EU legal limits permit. These high emissions were not caught during lab tests due to cheat devices, also known as defeat devices.
These devices were used to:
- Change the test results
- Get around emissions rules in the real world
- Mislead consumers and regulators
This has had a big impact on fuel economy, public health, and people's trust in the car industry.
A Wake-Up Call for the Car Industry
As a result of the scandal:
- The UK High Court has allowed a group of people to take legal action against several car makers.
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority is closely monitoring claims about diesel emissions.
- Regulators have begun Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests. This is to ensure that cars follow rules when they are on the road, not just in a lab.
If you bought a vehicle that is marked as “low emissions” or “eco-friendly” and feel you were tricked, you may be able to get some money back. This could help you feel better about any money you lost and the damage to the environment that happened.
Diesel Emissions & DPF Scandal – Key Facts & Figures
To help you see how widespread the diesel emissions scandal and DPF issues are, here are current statistics from reliable sources:
Diesel Emissions & Defeat Device Scandal: Key Stats
| Fact | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles Affected Globally | Over 11 million Volkswagen Group vehicles used defeat devices | BBC News |
| UK Vehicles Impacted | About 1.2 million vehicles (VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda) | The Guardian |
| Volkswagen UK Settlement | Paid £193 million to settle claims without admitting liability | Law Gazette |
| Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) | Paid over €870 million in Germany for emissions violations | Reuters |
| BMW Recall (2018) | Recalled 11,700 diesel vehicles over illegal software | BBC News |
| Renault Allegations | Some models emitted up to 377% over NOx legal limits | Financial Times |
| Jaguar Land Rover (UK) | Recalled 44,000 cars for diesel particulate filter (DPF) faults | Autocar |
| Fiat Chrysler (US) | Paid $800 million in diesel emissions settlement | Reuters |
| Diesel Sales Drop in EU | Fell by 17% between 2015 and 2018 after scandal | ICCT |
| Estimated Premature Deaths | Diesel NOx emissions contribute to 40,000+ deaths annually in the UK | Public Health England |
Drax is the biggest power station in the UK. It releases around 39,000 tonnes of NOx each year. On the other hand, some diesel vehicles can emit between 237,000 and 948,000 tonnes. This means diesel vehicles can release more than 20 times what Drax does.
Please keep in mind that these statistics are gathered from various news sources and organisations. They may change as new details on diesel emissions and the DPF scandals are revealed.
What Is a Defective Components Claim and Are You Eligible?
What Is a Defective Components Claim?
Defective component claims are not the same as diesel emissions claims. They centre around safety concerns in certain diesel vehicles. A big problem involves the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system.
The DPF system is there to stop harmful particles from going into the air. But, in many diesel cars, it has been found to be:
- Poorly designed or positioned
- Often likely to get blocked
- Might send the car into limp mode, making it difficult to drive
In these cases, a flaw in the manufacturer’s design or engineering has caused high repair costs and lower vehicle performance. This has often placed the driver’s safety at risk.
Which Vehicles Are Affected by DPF Faults?
We are assisting owners of Jaguar Land Rover models that are affected, including:
- Range Rover has several models. These include L405, Sport L494, Evoque L538, and L551, as well as Velar L560.
- You can also find the Discovery L462 and Discovery Sport L550.
- Jaguar sells several models, including XE, XF, F-Pace, and E-Pace.
If your diesel vehicle often shows DPF warnings, has issues with limp mode, or requires a lot of repairs, you could consider a different sort of claim. This claim would focus on design problems rather than emissions.
Common DPF Faults That May Qualify for Compensation
- A DPF often gets blocked and needs extra help to clean it.
- You might notice warning lights or error codes related to emissions.
- Fuel economy and engine power can decrease.
- Limp mode happens often.
- You may need to clean or replace the DPF several times quickly.
If you have paid for repairs or seen a drop in performance, you can make a claim. This claim can help you recover financial damages caused by a design issue from the manufacturer, not only problems related to emissions cheating.
What Is the History Behind Diesel Emissions Claims?
How Did the Diesel Emissions Scandal Begin?
The diesel emissions scandal began in September 2015. This was when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed the Volkswagen Group. The EPA discovered that VW had placed defeat devices on many diesel engines. These devices were used to cheat during emissions tests.
These software tools could detect when a car was in a lab for testing. They would activate a special low-emission mode during that time. However, on the road, those cars released up to 40 times more nitrogen oxides (NOx) than allowed by law.
The scandal called dieselgate spread fast across Europe, especially in the UK. It revealed that a number of car manufacturers may have used similar techniques.
How Has the Dieselgate Scandal Affected the Car Industry?
The fallout was immediate and severe:
- Volkswagen admitted they made a mistake and paid billions in fines and settlements.
- Mercedes-Benz (Daimler), BMW, Renault, Fiat Chrysler, Jaguar Land Rover, and others faced many claims and legal actions.
- Trust in diesel vehicles and how makers market them dropped significantly.
- Governments and courts in Europe, including the UK High Court, allowed group action legal claims from vehicle owners.
The car industry received a lot of focus. Because of this, regulators changed the way cars are checked. They now do real-world driving tests instead of only testing emissions in labs.
What Role Do UK Legal Experts Play in Emissions Claims?
Legal claims in the UK now follow a conditional fee agreement model. This means you don't pay anything if you do not win your case. A special panel of solicitors has been formed to handle these cases. They are here to help you get compensation amounts for diesel vehicles that were mis-sold.
The claims are often set up as group actions in courts. They might look at:
- The actions of the vehicle manufacturer
- The legal limits they broke
- The financial loss the car owner faced
Legal experts say that owners of diesel vehicles were misled by false advertisements. Because of this, they should get compensation for problems such as bad fuel efficiency, reduced vehicle value, and damage to the environment.
How Can You Check If Your Vehicle Is Affected by the Emissions Scandal?
How Do I Know If My Diesel Car Is on the Affected List?
If you rented, bought, or financed a diesel vehicle between 2008 and 2020, it could be one of the millions of affected vehicles that have emissions cheat devices.
Many drivers may not realise that their car was part of the diesel emissions scandal. If your vehicle is from one of these car manufacturers, it probably qualifies for an emissions claim:
- Volkswagen
- Audi
- Skoda
- Seat
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Renault
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Peugeot
- Fiat Chrysler
- Nissan, Citroën, Ford, and others
You may still qualify even if you no longer own the car or if it was a company car.
What Information Do You Need to Check Eligibility?
To check your vehicle, all you need is your:
- Vehicle registration number (reg plate)
- Make and model of the vehicle
- Approximate purchase or lease date
After you put in your information, our free eligibility checker looks at your vehicle. It checks this against a list that is updated often. This list includes known affected models from legal probes, recalls, and UK government reports.
You will see a fast result in less than 30 seconds. If your car fits the needs, our legal panel will assist you with the claims process.
Will This Affect My Car or Insurance?
No — using our checker won’t affect your:
- Credit file
- Vehicle history
- Insurance cover
This tool is free for car owners to use. It helps them find out if they can receive money for wrong emissions practices.
What Are Diesel Emissions Claims and What Compensation Can You Expect?
What Is a Diesel Emissions Claim?
A diesel emissions claim happens when vehicle owners say they bought or leased diesel cars that had illegal devices. These devices fooled emissions tests. They made the cars seem better for the environment than they really were.
Manufacturers said these vehicles released lower emissions and had better fuel efficiency. They claimed they followed legal limits. However, in real life, these vehicles often let out dangerous NOx pollutants that were much higher than the allowed levels.
As a result, drivers may have:
- People paid high prices for cars because they were misled by false eco-friendly claims.
- They experienced losses in fuel economy.
- The resale value of their vehicles went down.
- Unknowingly, they contributed to public health issues caused by air pollution.
Who Is Eligible to Make a Diesel Emissions Claim?
You may be eligible to join an emissions claim if:
- You owned, rented, or paid for a diesel vehicle from 2008 to 2020.
- Your vehicle was from a company involved in the emissions scandal.
- You still have the vehicle registration papers or buying details.
- The vehicle was used for personal reasons, for a business, or as a company car.
You can still see if you qualify, even if you have sold the vehicle or it is not under warranty anymore. Just use our quick online tool.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
The amount of compensation varies depending on:
- The brand and type of the car
- How long you have owned or leased it
- If you bought the car fully, financed it, or leased it
- The financial loss you faced, like a lower resale value or higher gas costs
Claimants can receive between £1,000 and £16,000 for each vehicle. This amount depends on past settlements. Such claims often take place in group action cases at the UK High Court. A law firm or team of legal experts will assist during the process.
Do I Have to Pay Any Legal Costs?
No, each case is managed with a conditional fee agreement, also known as no win, no fee. This means:
- You don't have to pay anything upfront.
- You only pay legal fees if you win your claim.
- All costs are shown clearly. There are no hidden fees or charges if you decide to end the service.
Our panel of solicitors will handle all the paperwork, legal filings, and negotiations. They will make everything simple and stress-free for you.
How Do You Join the Diesel Emissions Claim Process?
What Steps Are Involved in Making an Emissions Claim?
Joining a diesel emissions claim is simple. You can do it all online. Here’s how it works:
- Use our free online eligibility checker to see if your vehicle qualifies.
- Make sure to verify your details, such as your vehicle reg, ownership dates, and manufacturer.
- Safely send your information to our legal panel.
- Let the experts handle everything – they will take care of your claim from beginning to end.
You don’t need to search for a law firm or worry about difficult legal forms. Everything is handled for you. There is a no win, no fee agreement.
What Documents Will I Need?
You may be asked to provide:
- A copy of your vehicle registration certificate (V5C)
- A finance agreement or lease documents (if needed)
- Proof that you owned or used the vehicle during that time period
These papers help to ensure that your case is correctly linked to your vehicle manufacturer and model.
What Happens After I Submit a Claim?
After you submit your details:
- A legal expert from our team will look over your case.
- If your claim is eligible, it will join similar cases in a group action.
- The case may go to the UK High Court, where businesses are held accountable for what they do.
- If you succeed, you will receive your compensation payment directly, without having to appear in court.
There is no risk and no fees to pay at the start. The claim happens through a conditional fee agreement.
What If You Want to Sell Your Affected Diesel Vehicle?
Can You Sell a Car Involved in the Emissions Scandal?
Yes, you can sell a diesel vehicle that is involved in the emissions scandal. However, there are some important facts to keep in mind.
Many buyers today are aware of diesel emissions claims and might inquire:
- Has the vehicle been called back?
- Has the defeat device been removed or altered?
- Is the car part of a current legal claim?
Selling is fine, but if you don’t tell about any known issues, it could lower your resale value. It might also cause problems later.
How Does an Emissions Claim Affect Resale Value?
Cars in the dieselgate scandal often have issues with:
- People trust the market less.
- There is bad news about the vehicle manufacturer.
- Buyers feel worried about fuel efficiency, performance, and legal issues.
This can result in:
- Trade-in offers are less.
- Private buyers want discounts.
- Selling through dealers is tough because they are concerned about legal problems.
If you are claiming something about diesel emissions, you can still sell your vehicle. However, you must let the buyer know about it.
Tips for Selling an Affected Vehicle
If you're planning to sell:
- Be honest about how the car is working.
- Discuss any recall repairs that have happened.
- Share copies of your vehicle registration and service record.
- Mention if the vehicle is involved in a group action claim (if it applies).
You may want to complete the claim process before selling. This will help prevent issues about who gets the compensation amount.
What Does the Future Hold for Diesel Cars and Emissions?
Are Diesel Cars Still Worth Buying?
The diesel emissions scandal has changed how people feel about diesel vehicles forever. People used to like them for their good fuel economy. Now, many believe they are old-fashioned because of the diesel emissions scandal.
- Impact on the environment
- Stringent rules and regulations
- Reduced selling price
Sales of new diesel cars in the UK are dropping fast. Many car manufacturers are now shifting their attention to electric and hybrid models.
How Are Governments Responding to Diesel Emissions?
Authorities across Europe, including the UK, have:
- A stricter test for emissions is now in place. This includes Real Driving Emissions (RDE) standards.
- From 2035 onward, new petrol and diesel cars cannot be sold.
- Group lawsuits against car manufacturers who exceed legal limits are encouraged.
- Steps to enhance air quality in cities have been increased to protect public health.
These changes aim to reduce nitrogen oxides, acid rain, and toxic fumes. These pollutants are often linked to diesel engines.
What Does This Mean for Diesel Vehicle Owners?
If you own or recently sold a diesel vehicle from 2008 to 2020, you may be eligible for a diesel emissions claim. This applies even if your vehicle was marketed as eco-friendly.
As the car industry moves towards cleaner options, this could be the best time to:
- See if you qualify
- Participate in a legal claim
- Recover your financial damages from poor marketing or faulty emissions systems
What Are the Key Facts About the Diesel Emissions Scandal?
- In 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found out that Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat) used cheating devices in their diesel cars during emissions tests - Source: BBC
- This finding affected about 1.2 million diesel vehicles in the UK - Source: The Guardian
- In January 2017, VW admitted to the cheating and agreed to pay over $4.3 billion in fines in the US - Source: Reuters
- By May 2022, VW agreed to pay £193 million in the UK to settle claims. They did this without saying they were guilty - Source: Law Gazette
- In 2018, BMW recalled over 11,700 diesel cars in Europe because their emissions software did not follow EU rules - Source: BBC News
- In 2019, Daimler / Mercedes-Benz was fined €870 million by German authorities for failing to meet diesel emissions laws - Source: Reuters
- Fiat Chrysler, now part of Stellantis, paid $800 million in settlements in the US for problems with diesel emissions software in Jeep and Ram models - Source: Reuters
- From 2021 to 2023, tests showed that some diesel models from Renault produced up to 377% more NOx than what the EU allows - Source: Financial Times
- Jaguar Land Rover UK recalled over 44,000 vehicles due to
FAQs About Diesel Emissions Claims
A defeat device is illegal software used by some car manufacturers. This software lets them cheat on emissions tests. It makes a car seem like it meets legal limits during lab tests. But when the car is driven normally, it lets out more nitrogen oxides (NOx). If your vehicle has a defeat device, you can possibly make a claim for diesel emissions.
Yes, you can still make a diesel emissions claim even if you sold the vehicle. This is true as long as you owned, leased, or financed it during the affected time period. You might need to show proof of ownership, such as a vehicle registration document.
Yes, there are strict time limits set by law for when you buy or lease your vehicle. The time to make a claim is running out. It is important to check your eligibility soon so that you do not miss out.
The amount of compensation can vary depending on the manufacturer, model, and past ownership. Claimants might receive between £1,000 and £16,000. This covers financial loss, reduced fuel economy, or lower resale value. All cases are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
Yes. Your case is under a conditional fee agreement. This means you do not pay anything in advance. You only pay legal fees if your claim works out. This arrangement helps reduce the risk for vehicle owners who are part of the group action.
The brands that are talked about the most in UK emissions claims are:
- Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat)
- Mercedes-Benz
- BMW
- Renault
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Fiat Chrysler
- Peugeot, Citroën, and others
We are carefully looking at claims from over 15 major car makers.
No, joining a diesel emissions claim will not affect your car’s warranty, insurance, finance deal, or your ability to sell it. This is a different legal claim. It aims to recover financial damages caused by misleading ads and emissions cheating.
Manufacturers Affected
