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millions motor driver can Will get proper compensation soon A major legal battle has begun in Hai courtDozens of popular car makers accused of breaking rules emissions Because vehicle owners bring claims against them.
five major Car manufacturers are in court Accused of cheating on emissions tests, many more are potentially facing a similar challenge depending on the outcome of the challenge.
The five companies involved are Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot/Citroën, Renault and Nissan, all of whom have denied the allegations.
tests Marks a significant development in the ongoing “Dieselgate” scandal, potentially affecting up to 1.6 million people vehicle owner In what lawyers describe as the largest class action in English and Welsh legal history.
Companies accused of using software that allowed their cars Reduce emissions of harmful gases under test conditions.
Five companies were previously selected by the court as lead defendants for the trial. Depending on the outcome of the case, nine other carmakers could face similar claims.
These are: Opel and Vauxhall, volkswagen and Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, FCA and Suzuki, Volvo, Hyundai/Kia, Toyota and Mazda.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When did the matter start?
This action follows the “Dieselgate” scandal, which first came to light in September 2015 when Volkswagen was implicated by the US Environmental Protection Agency for installing defeat devices – software designed to manipulate nitrogen oxide emissions readings in its diesels. vehicles,
high court It was confirmed in 2020 that Volkswagen had used these devices in violation of EU emissions testing requirements. The carmaker later settled UK Class action for £193 million with 91,000 drivers,
It has paid out £27.8 billion globally so far, mostly in the US.
Starting Monday, the high court will determine whether systems in diesel cars from five other manufacturers were similarly designed to bypass clean air laws.
These companies are accused of defeating devices that allowed cars to identify test scenarios that caused them to run on less power and record artificially low nitrogen oxide emissions.
Lawyers for the affected motorists argue that their clients were deceived about the environmental impact of the vehicles, and that the cars are spewing dangerous levels of pollution onto the roads. A decision is not expected until summer 2026.
What compensation will I get?
If the court finds against the car makers, further tests To determine compensation Payments to those affected will likely occur in autumn 2026.
If the court finds that the sample vehicles assessed in the test contained defeat devices, claimants will argue that this gives rise to claims for breach of statutory duty and contractual obligations.
Relying on case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), they will also argue that consumers have a right to compensation for vehicles with faulty equipment.
While the exact amount owed in each case will be subject to a lengthy legal process, Leigh Day estimates it could be “thousands”. The law firm was joint-lead counsel in the original diesel emissions group litigation, and is one of 22 law firms representing drivers in the High Court.
Leigh Day says it is now only accepting claims for vehicles manufactured by Volvo, which cannot be heard as part of the ongoing case, but could be heard in further legal proceedings.
The deadline for making claims with most other law firms has also now passed, but those who think they may be affected are advised to keep an eye on the proceedings for any updates that may affect them.
Speaking ahead of the trial, Martin Day, senior partner at Leigh Day, said: “A decade after the Dieselgate scandal first emerged, 1.6 million UK motorists now have the chance to establish whether their vehicles contain technology designed to cheat emissions tests.
“Fourteen of the largest car manufacturers operating in the UK are facing these claims which, if proven, would demonstrate one of the most serious breaches of corporate trust in modern times.
“It would also mean that people across the UK are breathing in more harmful emissions from these vehicles than reported, potentially putting the health of millions at risk.”