In recent years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding diesel cars and their impact on the environment. With many diesel car owners now believing they were misled about their vehicles’ pollution levels, it’s not surprising that compensation schemes are becoming more and more common.

In this blog post, we will be discussing whether diesel claims are worth it, what they are, which cars are eligible and how to make a claim in the UK.

What are diesel claims?

Diesel claims are compensation schemes offered by car manufacturers to diesel car owners. The schemes are being offered as a result of the emissions scandal that rocked the automotive industry in 2015. The scandal involved car manufacturers using software to cheat emissions tests, which led to diesel cars emitting more pollutants than they were supposed to.

Volkswagen was the first car manufacturer to admit to installing ‘defeat devices’ that reduced their vehicles’ nitrous oxide emission readings. Volkswagen eventually paid out over £193 million to claimants which amounted to almost £2000 per person. Other manufacturers are now also starting to face legal claims from their customers.

Diesel claim schemes are designed to compensate diesel car owners for the loss in value of their vehicles as a result of the scandal. They can also cover the cost of repairs and maintenance as well as any expenses that have built up in the long run as a result of purchasing the ‘faulty’ vehicle.

Should you make a diesel claim?

Whether or not you should make a diesel claim depends on a number of factors, including the make and model of your car, the amount of compensation being offered and your personal circumstances.

In general, if you own a diesel car that has been affected by the emissions scandal, it is definitely worth looking into the compensation schemes provided by the manufacturer. If the scandal has had an impact on the value of your diesel car, you may be able to get a significant amount of compensation.

However, it’s important to note that not all diesel cars are eligible for compensation. The eligibility criteria can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so make sure you check this before making a claim.

Which diesel cars are eligible?

As mentioned above, the number of eligible cars varies depending on the manufacturer. However, in general, the eligibility criteria include the following:

• The car must have been purchased or leased between 2007 and 2020
• The car must be a diesel model sold by Audi, BMW, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mini, Mercedes, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Vauxhall, Volkswagen or Volvo.

How to make a claim in the UK

If you believe that your diesel car is eligible for a compensation scheme, you will need to follow certain steps in order to make a claim. The exact process can vary depending on the manufacturer, but the following steps are usually involved:

Check your eligibility

The first step is to check whether or not your car is eligible for the scheme. You can do this by contacting the manufacturer directly or using a free tool

Gather your documents

Once you have established that your car is eligible, you will need to gather all the necessary documents to support your claim. This may include proof of purchase or lease, as well as evidence of any repairs or maintenance that you have had to carry out as a result of the emissions scandal. This also includes any evidence of you paying more for the car due to it being advertised as ‘environmentally friendly’.

Submit your claim

The next step is to submit your claim, which you’ll need to do by joining a group claim with a specialist law firm. To join the claim, you will be required to provide all the necessary documentation as well as any additional information that the manufacturer may require.

Wait for a response

As a group claim, it’s worth bearing in mind that the process may take up to five years. However, this is still the best route for getting compensation as filing your own lawsuit against the manufacturer will likely cost more in legal fees than what you would be awarded in a payout.

If you’re thinking of bringing forward a diesel claim for your faulty vehicle, why not consult the team at Claims Bible? We specialise in diesel emission claims for various manufacturers including Mercedes, Vauxhall and BMW. Get in touch with us today to find out more.