Diesel Emissions Claims

Defeat devices, sometimes referred to as cheat devices, are fitted into diesel vehicles in order to falsify emissions levels by using test conditions to pass regulatory checks before a vehicle is approved for sale.

However, real-world driving conditions produce significantly higher emissions, meaning affected vehicles would not pass regulatory checks without the installation of defeat devices. Therefore, emissions laws are being cheated and the excess nitrogen oxide being produced can have severe negative consequences for the environment and also the health of the public.

Protecting the environment

A big reason you might want to make a claim is the fact your car manufacturer lied to you about a very dangerous pollutant. NOx is responsible for acid rain, smog, and the deterioration of the ozone layer. These companies should be made aware that they can’t put profits above the health of their customers or the environment. At a time when global warming and climate change are serious problems that the world is facing, the selfishness and disregard for the planet displayed by these companies should not be swept under the carpet.

Corporate accountability

A lot of the big car manufacturers have tried to deny their involvement in the scandal with lies and cover ups. It is important to send a message that no company, no matter how big and powerful, is above the law. Making a diesel emissions claim makes it clear that large companies can’t get away with being dishonest to their customers, especially when it comes to emissions standards.

Financial reimbursement

Clients who have been affected might have suffered financial damages as a result, especially if they have had the car ‘fixed’, which has been shown to have a negative effect on fuel economy. Starting a claim will help you to get back any money you have lost and more, if your claim is successful you will receive compensation which could be thousands depending on your case.

Looking after your health

Studies from the European Federation for Transport and Environment have shown that traffic pollution costs roughly 60 billion euros per year and can be related to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths. In particular the chemical NOx can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, coughing, and wheezing. If you make a diesel car claim you can make your voice heard to manufacturers and receive compensation for any impact on your health you may have experienced.

There is no risk to you

The law firm we introduce you to works on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that bringing a claim won’t cost you anything, even in the unlikely event that the claim does not succeed. You only have to make a contribution to the legal costs in the event of a successful diesel emission claim.

There is no fixed amount for compensation should the specific group claim be settled in your favour. Compensation will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and your own individual experience, including the degree of financial loss and severity of any harm you’ve suffered. Some eligible diesel owners could be due sums worth thousands. Legal costs will come from any compensation amount you are awarded, so there are no upfront costs involved when making a claim.

While we understand your desire for your claim to be resolved quickly, each group claim against a specific manufacturer will have different timelines. In some cases, the manufacturer will already have accepted responsibility and be keen to settle the claim out of court, with as little fuss as possible. Other claims may not be as far progressed, with the manufacturers disputing any wrongdoing and the matter still being investigated. These claims will inevitably take longer to come to a conclusion.

To move forward with your claim, you will need to be able to provide evidence and information regarding the ownership of your vehicle. Some examples of suitable evidence include:

•       Your purchase invoice from the garage or dealer you bought the vehicle from
•       Paperwork detailing any finance agreements
•       Details of lease agreements if you got your vehicle through a lease
•       Your Vehicle Order form
•       Details of the Salary Sacrifice agreement with your employer (if it is relevant)
•       A copy of the Will if you inherited the vehicle
•       V5C (information about the registered keeper)
•       Car insurance details
•       Any formal documents that show evidence of disposal of the vehicle (this could be a sale invoice or receipt, a letter from your insurer confirming the write off/ insurance settlement) if you no longer have the car

When you have registered your claim, you will get a complete list of everything that is needed, as well as guidance and templates to help you gather the evidence if you don’t easily have it to hand.

What to do if you can’t find your documents

The garage you purchased the car from, your dealership, or the finance company you went through to get the finance to buy your car might still have copies of the documents of your vehicle.

You will still be able to claim, as we do not feel that any fixes applied by your manufacturer will affect your claim for diesel compensation. A lot of customers who had the emissions fix applied reported negative effects on the performance of their car, the fuel economy, or encountered other problems since the fix was put in place. If it is possible when you submit your claim, you should provide copies of any letters you received about the fix, including the one that invited you to have it.

If your vehicle was purchased through a sole trader business or a partnership, then you should still be able to make an emissions claim. The same applies if you have a vehicle funded by your company but purchased in your name through a finance or lease agreement. However, if you purchased your vehicle through a limited company, you don’t qualify to join the group action diesel emissions claim.

Yes you are still able to claim. You will need to provide evidence of your Motability agreement and/or statements relating to your account.

If you bought or leased your diesel vehicle in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you will not be able to join claims in England and Wales. This is because you can only claim in the country you acquired the car, regardless of where you live. Even though many of the same issues are relevant, the claims in Scotland and Northern Ireland are separate and at earlier stages.

In Scotland, the legal mechanism that makes group actions possible only came into effect in 2020, meaning cases haven’t progressed as far in comparison to claims in England and Wales.

In Northern Ireland, law firms are not allowed to take on cases on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, and there is only one firm that we are aware of pursuing group claims against manufacturers about their unethical activities with emissions.

Yes you can still claim. We want to ensure the claim is as inclusive as possible, so all affected drivers have the best chance of receiving compensation. If you owned or leased a diesel vehicle between 2008 and 2019, you could be eligible for diesel emissions claim compensation.

To find out the engine type of your car, you will need your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is normally stamped on the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of the car and on the door frame of the driver’s side door. Some vehicles might also have their VIN imprinted on a metal plate under the bonnet, near the engine. With this information you can find out your engine model and if it has been affected in the diesel emissions scandal.

Yes, you are entitled to sign up for every diesel vehicle you have owned, leased, or still have presently. Make sure you submit a claim for each car individually.

If your car was acquired through your employer via a salary contribution scheme

You will be required to provide evidence of your salary contribution scheme including copies of your agreement for the hire or purchase of the car and/or statements in relation to your account.

If your car was gifted to you

You would need to demonstrate evidence of this gift, for example a copy of the Will if you inherited the car.

If you no longer own the car

You can still make a claim if you can prove that you used to be the registered keeper of the vehicle and have sufficient documentation relating to the sale of the vehicle etc.

If you have outstanding finance on the vehicle

The date of your last payment may determine what type of claim you can bring, so it is important to disclose the details of your finance agreement. You need to continue to meet any outstanding financial obligations.

We can put you in touch with legal experts who are putting together group actions for each of the main manufacturers whereby the thousands of affected customers can be part of a collective claim for diesel emissions compensation. The legal expert we introduce you to will act for you on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning there is no risk to you in making a claim and nothing to pay in the unlikely event we take on your claim and you don’t win compensation. Contact us today to find out more and start your claim.