Diesel Car Claims

Diesel cars have long been a popular choice in the UK due to their fuel efficiency, especially over long distances. However, revelations emerged in 2015 that implied manufacturers had lied about the emissions levels their vehicles produced, leading to a surge in diesel car claims.

In this blog post, we will explore what a diesel claim is, which manufacturers offer diesel claims, how much compensation you can expect to receive, whether you can join a diesel claim if you no longer own the vehicle and how diesel car claims work.

What is a diesel claim?

A diesel claim is a legal case brought against a car manufacturer by a diesel car owner who believes that they were misled about the emissions their car produces. The claims typically allege that the manufacturer fitted the car with devices designed to cheat emissions tests. These devices were triggered when the car was being tested, causing the vehicle to release far fewer emissions during the testing period.

The main argument for diesel claims is that the cars emit more harmful pollutants than advertised, causing significant damage to the environment as well as significantly reducing the resale value of the vehicles concerned.

What manufacturers can diesel claims be brought against?

Several car manufacturers have been implicated in the diesel emissions scandal, including Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. These manufacturers have or are currently facing legal action in the UK, with Volkswagen forced to pay out £193 million in 2022 to settle 91,000 claims.

How much compensation will I get for a diesel claim?

The amount of compensation you can expect to receive for a diesel claim will depend on a number of factors, including the make and model of your car, the severity of the emissions cheating and the harm caused by these emissions. Typically, compensation amounts range from a few thousand pounds to ten thousand pounds, so making a claim is definitely worthwhile.

Can I join a diesel claim if I no longer own the vehicle?

When claims were running, you could still join a diesel claim after selling the vehicle, provided you could evidence your ownership and the harm caused by the emissions. New diesel claims are currently paused following the High Court's July 2026 judgment — see our diesel emissions guide for where things stand.

How do diesel car claims work?

A claim could be made for several reasons. Firstly, you could argue that you would not have bought the vehicle if you had been properly informed about the emissions it produces. It could also be that you paid extra for its more eco-friendly features, which you would not have done knowing the true environmental impact of the car.

Finally, if you have had to fix the car or make changes to it in order to comply with emissions standards, then you could argue that this has led to additional costs for you and lowered the value of the vehicle.

Making a claim

Due to the costs involved and the lengthy legal process, these claims are very difficult to make as an individual. Instead, it can be more beneficial to join a group claim that is being made so that you don’t end up spending more on legal costs than you would receive in a payout. Usually, these claims are grouped by manufacturer.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that there are time limits on these claims (6 years), so acting quickly is advised.

Speaking to a solicitor

If you believe that you have been affected by the diesel emissions scandal, it is worth contacting a solicitor to see if you are eligible to make a claim. In the first instance, you’ll simply need to provide some basic details about your car (including its make and model and the year you bought or leased it), which the team will use to determine whether or not you have a case.

Want to learn more?

If you have any questions about the claims process or want help with each step of fighting these large companies for the money you deserve, make sure to contact us at Claims Bible. Our experienced professionals can help you get the compensation that you are entitled to without any of the extra stress or hassle of trying to make a claim yourself.