A trading style of Forces Compare LtdCall Now: 020 8088 0665

How To Claim Diesel Compensation and Make a Claim

The process for making a diesel claims claim

Step 1 – Check if you are eligible: The first step in the claims process is to determine whether you are eligible to claim. This will depend on a variety of factors, such as the make and model of your vehicle, the date of purchase or lease, and the country in which the vehicle was bought. It can also be beneficial to gather evidence to support your claim, such as documentation relating to the purchase of the vehicle and any repairs carried out to meet emissions standards. There are a number of free vehicle checkers online that you can use.

Step 2 – Begin the claims process: Once you have gathered all the necessary information, you can begin the claims process. This will usually involve submitting your claim to a law firm dealing with group cases. In most cases, you’ll need to start by providing some basic details about your car.

Step 3 – The law firm will then get in touch with you if they believe you have a case.

Check your eligibility with Claims Bible for a diesel emissions claim today >>

In recent years, the diesel emissions scandal has made headlines all over the world, with many diesel vehicle owners now looking to claim compensation for the harm caused to both the environment and their health by their car manufacturers’ negligence. In this blog post, we explain how to claim diesel compensation.

About the diesel emissions scandal

The diesel emissions scandal, also known as ‘Dieselgate’, is a term used to describe a series of events that began in 2015 when it was discovered that Volkswagen (VW) had installed defeat devices in their diesel vehicles to cheat on emissions tests. This device would detect when the vehicle was being tested and would reduce its emissions output to comply with the regulations.

However, in real-world driving conditions, the vehicles would emit up to 40 times the legal limit of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The scandal quickly spread to other car manufacturers, with companies such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz also being found guilty of using these devices.

Overall, hundreds of thousands of vehicles in the United Kingdom are believed to be affected by the scandal, so if you bought a diesel vehicle between 2007 and 2020 yours may be among them. Read on to find out more about how to claim for diesel emissions and get the compensation that you deserve.

Is it possible to make a diesel compensation claim on your own?

Yes, if you are the owner of a diesel vehicle affected by the Diesel Emissions scandal, you can claim compensation yourself. However, it’s important to note that the claims process can be expensive, long and complex, so it’s often more worthwhile joining a group claim on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. Read about how to make a diesel emissions compensation claim.

Can I claim diesel compensation for more than one vehicle?

Yes, if you’ve owned more than one vehicle that has been affected by the emissions scandal, you can make a claim for each one. However, you’ll need to make a separate claim for each.

Are there time limits for making diesel emissions claims?

Yes, the exact time limit will depend on the reason for the claim. For example, a claim for deceit, misrepresentation or breach of statutory duty has to be brought within 6 years of you discovering your vehicle had a defeat device, while breach of contract claims must be brought within 6 years from the date of purchase. CPUT claims, meanwhile, have to be brought within 6 years from the date of you agreeing to buy the vehicle.

How much could I receive in compensation from a diesel emissions claim?

This can be several hundred or thousands of pounds. The amount of compensation that you could be entitled to will depend on a range of factors, including the type of vehicle and how much it cost you to buy or repair as a result of the defeat devices. Since you could receive thousands in compensation, so it is definitely worth making a claim.

How long will a diesel emissions claim take?

As a group claim, the process could take up to 5 years depending on the number of claimants involved and the amount of compensation being awarded. While this may seem like a long time, it’s important to be patient, as the reward could be worth it. The 91,000 people who made a group claim to VW were awarded £193 million between them!

To make the process easier for you, get in touch with our team at Claims Bible. Our experts can help you every step of the way, and take charge of your claim to make sure you get the best outcome possible.

Read Also

Are diesel emission claims worth it?

Can I claim compensation for my diesel car?

Is my car eligible for a diesel emissions claim?

Why Choose Claims Bible?

Matched to the Right Claim Specialist

We help connect you with experienced solicitors and claim partners who deal with your specific type of claim, so you get expert support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Clear and Honest at Every Step

Claims Bible makes the process clear and straightforward — what your claim involves, what the partner’s fee is, and the free route you can use instead, all set out before you decide anything.

Over £11 Million Recovered by Our Partners

Our claim partners recovered more than £11 million for people we introduced to them — people who were unfairly treated, mis-sold financial products, or left out of pocket — between 2021 and 2026.

Gavin Cooper

Gavin Cooper

Claims Expert, Claims Bible

Gavin writes and reviews Claims Bible's guidance on compensation claims. Claims Bible is a trading style of Forces Compare Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA for claims management activities (FRN 785329).

Published 20 April 2023 · Updated 13 November 2025 · Part of our Diesel Emissions guide