It depends on a number of factors, although it is not certain that an applicant will get anything. You don`t have to pay anything upfront to join one of them, but if you do and your claim is accepted, the law firm will receive between one-third and one-half of the settlement. The diesel emissions claims are a class action lawsuit that is not currently before the English and Welsh courts (April 2022). That means success isn`t guaranteed, but law firms have said successful claims will likely run into the thousands of pounds. When the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) discovered differences between European and American vehicle models, the scandal became public. Then, independent tests were carried out by German car manufacturer ADAC, which showed that many diesel vehicles on the market, such as the Volvo S60, Renault`s Espace Energy and the Jeep Renegade, exceeded Europe`s legal nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission levels by more than ten times under normal driving conditions. You need to choose the best law firm to represent you, as some companies only work with certain car brands. Most of these law firms will first ask you to fill out a claim form where you will have to list the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the impact of the diesel emissions scandal on you personally. Very helpful and answered any questions I had regarding the reasons for the claim and the process involved Unfortunately, there is no fixed amount of compensation a claimant can receive – and it is not guaranteed.

However, some information is made available to the public on the current state of proceedings against car manufacturers. In the UK, six law firms are representing consumers in the diesel emissions scandal, namely Hagens Berman UK, Keller Lenkner UK, Leigh Day, Milberg London, PGMBM and Slater & Gordon. These companies represent tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of applicants. It is important to know that these companies are dealing with cases against specific brands and not necessarily against all. Any claims you make with these law firms will be made on a “no profit, no-cost” basis – so the company`s legal team will only make a discount if you receive compensation successfully. Our partner claims team will compile your case and submit it to the automaker for decision. Several automakers have already been investigated into the diesel emissions scandal, and many are still under investigation to see if there is evidence that they also installed defeat devices in their vehicles during the crucial 2007-2018 period to cheat emissions tests. Ask the relevant law firm to explain part of the agreement you signed if you`re not sure. And if you decide to change your mind, simply inform the company in writing that you want to cancel.

If you complete the process within 14 days, you will not be charged. But in some cases, if you join a claim and leave within the first 14 days. If you file a lawsuit with a law firm, you will usually receive a response from the automaker within four weeks of closing your claim. In most cases, automakers won`t want to go to court and will try to settle the claim quickly – and with as little effort as possible – amicably. In the United States, Stellantis, owner of Fiat-Alfa Romeo, pleaded guilty to using a similar diesel engine. But that doesn`t mean they face the same legal approaches in Europe or the UK, which have completely different consumer laws than the US. In the wake of the scandal now known as “Dieselgate,” registered owners of diesel vehicles and vans manufactured between 2007 and 2018 may be eligible to join a collective rights claim. The law firms behind the claim claim that these diesel vehicles were sold improperly because they produced more harmful nitrogen oxides than advertised.

While far from certain, those who can prove they were sold improperly could be entitled to £1,000. Whether you bought new or used, directly or financially, if you think you can apply, it`s worth checking if you`re eligible. Volkswagen was the first car manufacturer whose turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines were intentionally programmed to activate their emissions controls only during emissions testing. In fact, the controversy was first called the “Volkswagen emissions scandal.” Subsequent VW models in the 2.0-litre diesel vehicle range have installed software designed to “beat” the proper pollution tests. An estimated 11 million vehicles in the UK are affected by the problem of excessive diesel emissions. Was yours one of them? Broadly speaking, the group`s legal claims indicate that automakers have used illegal “defeat devices” in their diesel vehicles to cheat on tests carried out by regulators checking emission levels before putting the vehicles on sale. But the company the plaintiff signs up with will be a factor in any compensation awarded by the court, which you can actually keep if the claim is accepted – or settled out of court. In May 2022, the VW Group, which also includes Audi, Seat and Skoda, settled out of court for £193 million. Due to the terms of the contract, the fees and costs deducted have not been published, so payments for individual applicants are still unknown. The VW Group also made an undisclosed contribution to the plaintiffs` legal fees. The VW Group continues to maintain that this regulation is not an admission of responsibility.

There are websites where you can quickly check if you have been deliberately deceived about the environmental performance of the car and if you are entitled to compensation. It`s worth it, as many offending automakers are now legally required to pay drivers millions of dollars in compensation. However, if you think you might be eligible, it`s best to contact one of the UK law firms that handle consumer complaints. Renault was investigated by the French authorities in 2015 and concluded that they had installed in some models a “fraudulent device” that specifically modifies the operation of the engine to reduce NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions under the conditions specific to the prescribed tests. This would have affected 900,000 Renault vehicles – and upon proper inspection, it was claimed that the Renault Captur and Clio IV exceeded the carbon dioxide emissions limit by 377% and 305%, respectively. The claims, if they continue, will be summarized when they go to court. However, depending on the firm`s terms and conditions and the status of your case, you may be liable for legal fees if you file a lawsuit and withdraw after the first 14 days.