Is my car eligible for a diesel claim?
”In the wake of the 2015 Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, many people are now wondering if they are also eligible for compensation for their diesel cars. While there is a long list of manufacturers involved in the scandal, not everyone will be able to make a claim. In this blog, we take a look at the eligibility requirements for a diesel claim, including how to check if your car is eligible.
What brands are involved in the diesel emissions scandal?
Over 90,000 claims were made against Volkswagen after it was revealed some of their diesel cars exceeded the legal European limits for nitrous oxide, which was almost 10x over in some cases.
The initial claim was brought against Volkswagen by a Liverpool-based firm after it concluded that drivers would not have bought their vehicles had they known about the defeat devices being used to hide the real nitrous oxide amounts being produced.
While Volkswagen was the first company to be discovered using these devices, many more have now been unveiled as using the same techniques. If you own a diesel car or van that was designed by one of the following manufacturers, you may be able to join an active group legal claim:
- BMW
- Ford
- Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
- Renault
- Vauxhall
- Peugeot
- Citreon
- Nissan
How can I check if my car is eligible?
If you have a car that you think is affected by the Dieselgate scandal, then you may be able to claim compensation. But how can you check if your car is eligible? The first thing to do is to check the list of brands that have been affected. If you own a diesel car designed by one of these manufacturers, it needs to have been registered between 2007 – 2020. Many websites now offer a free diesel claim checker where you simply have to input your registration number.
Even if you don’t think the above criteria apply to you, it’s worth checking your eligibility anyway as any offending car manufacturer will be obliged to pay compensation if the court agrees in the plaintiffs’ favour.
Do I still need to own the car to make a claim?
One of the most common questions asked by people who are considering making a diesel claim is whether they still need to own or lease the diesel vehicle that was affected by the scandal. The answer is no! As long as you purchased or leased your vehicle between 2008 and 2019, then you should be eligible for a claim.
One of the main reasons for bringing a claim is if you had to pay for repairs to your diesel vehicle in order to comply with emissions standards. You can also claim if you believe you wouldn’t have purchased the car having known about the flaw or if you paid more for the car than what it was actually worth.
Can I still claim under VW Dieselgate?
The Volkswagen case was settled in May 2022, which means you can no longer start a new claim. Claims against Audi, Seat or Skoda can also no longer be made.
In total, 91,000 claimants ended up receiving a combined £193 million from Volkswagen. This figure included compensation for the purchase price of their cars; any interest paid during the time they owned the vehicles; the costs incurred due to any repairs required as a result of the scandal; and costs incurred due to having to buy replacement cars or pay for alternative transport while their cars were being fixed or repaired. Awarded by the High Court of England and Wales, the average payout was around £2,100.
