Dieselgate — Group Litigation Active

Did your diesel car fail real-world emissions tests? You may be owed compensation

Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Vauxhall and others fitted defeat device software in millions of UK diesel cars. If you owned or leased an affected vehicle, you may have a mis-selling claim — even if you've sold the car.

Check My Eligibility Which Cars? →
UK group litigation ongoing
No win, no fee
Act before deadline
Dieselgate UK — Key DataActive
UK vehicles potentially affected1.2m+
Estimated individual payout£1,000–£5,000+
US VW settlement per vehicle$5,000–$10,000
Manufacturers implicated in UK10+
📡 UK Supreme Court, High Court GLO, EPA data
1.2m+
UK cars affected
£5k+
Potential payout
10+
Manufacturers implicated
2009
Earliest qualifying year
Act now
Deadlines approaching
⏰
Deadline warning: limitation periods are approaching

Diesel emissions claims use the 6-year limitation period from the date of knowledge. For many claimants, this window is closing. If you're considering a claim, get legal advice immediately — do not delay.

Quick answer
Am I eligible for diesel emissions compensation?
You may be eligible if you bought or leased a new or used diesel vehicle from an affected manufacturer between approximately 2009 and 2020, and the vehicle was fitted with defeat device software. You do not need to still own the vehicle, and you do not need to have experienced any mechanical problems. The claim is for mis-selling — you were sold a car that performed differently in tests than in real-world driving, and the manufacturer knew this.
🌫️ 2009–2020 vehicles⏱ Act urgently✓ No win, no fee
Eligibility checker

Check if you're eligible

🌫️

Diesel Emissions Eligibility Checker

Based on known defeat device manufacturers and UK group litigation status

Select your vehicle's manufacturer:

Volkswagen
Golf, Passat, Polo, Tiguan
✓ Active
Audi
A3, A4, A6, Q5, Q7
✓ Active
SEAT
Ibiza, Leon, Ateca
✓ Active
Škoda
Octavia, Fabia, Superb
✓ Active
BMW / Mini
3 Series, 5 Series, X5
⚠ Review
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class, E-Class, GLC
⚠ Review
Vauxhall / Opel
Astra, Insignia, Zafira
✓ Active
Renault / Nissan
Kadjar, Qashqai, Trafic
⚠ Review
Fiat / Alfa Romeo
500X, Giulietta, Stelvio
✓ Active
Estimated claim strength
—
based on manufacturer and year
Estimated compensation range
—
UK group litigation estimate
⏰
Act promptly — limitation periods are a real riskDiesel emissions limitation periods are complex and disputed by defendants. Some solicitors argue time runs from 2015 (Dieselgate revelation); others argue from when you specifically became aware. The safest approach is to register your claim with a specialist now rather than waiting.
Claim viability depends on vehicle-specific defeat device evidence, current litigation status, and limitation period analysis. Not legal advice. Always consult a specialist solicitor.
Free specialist assessment
Register your diesel emissions claim now

Join the group litigation with a specialist solicitor. No win, no fee. No upfront costs. Register your interest and they'll contact you with the next steps.

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All affected manufacturers
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Affected vehicles

Which manufacturers and models are affected?

Manufacturer / GroupUK litigation statusKey modelsEst. UK claimants
Volkswagen Group
VW, Audi, SEAT, ŠkodaActive GLOGolf, Passat, A3, A4, Leon, Octavia800,000+
Mercedes-BenzUnder reviewC-Class, E-Class, GLE, Vito200,000+
BMW Group
BMW, MiniUnder review3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5150,000+
Vauxhall / Stellantis
Vauxhall, Citroën, Peugeot, FiatActive claimsAstra, Zafira, C3, 308180,000+
Renault Group
Renault, Nissan, DaciaInvestigationKadjar, Qashqai, Trafic100,000+
How it worked

What is a defeat device and how does it affect your claim?

A defeat device is software or hardware in a vehicle that detects when the car is being tested for emissions and adjusts performance accordingly. During a test, the car produces lower NOx emissions and better fuel economy. In real-world driving, emissions can be dramatically higher — in some VW vehicles, up to 40 times the legal limit.

The mis-selling argument

When you bought your diesel car, you were sold it based on its published fuel economy and emissions figures. Those figures were false. You paid a price reflecting environmental performance that the car could not actually deliver in normal use. That is the basis of the mis-selling claim.

Diminished value

Affected vehicles were worth less than you paid, because their real-world emissions performance was inferior. Some argue the vehicles would have been unsaleable at their retail price if the defeat device had been disclosed.

You don't need to have suffered a problem

You don't need to have had any mechanical issue with the vehicle. The claim is for the difference between what was represented and what was delivered — a deception claim regardless of whether the car drove normally.

Group litigation orders (GLOs)

UK diesel emissions claims have been consolidated into Group Litigation Orders, allowing thousands of similar claims to be managed together. This reduces costs and strengthens the collective case. Joining a GLO is typically no win, no fee.

Timeline

The diesel emissions scandal — UK timeline

September 2015
EPA reveals Volkswagen Dieselgate
The US Environmental Protection Agency announces VW fitted defeat device software in approximately 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide. VW Group's UK exposure covers approximately 1.2 million cars.
2016–2018
Other manufacturers investigated
Investigations by the DVSA and European authorities implicate BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Vauxhall, Fiat, and Nissan in similar defeat device usage, though the scope and nature varies by manufacturer.
2019
UK group litigation commences
UK law firms begin organising Group Litigation Orders against VW Group and other manufacturers. Tens of thousands of claimants register.
2022–2024
High Court hearings — VW litigation
The VW Dieselgate group litigation proceeds through the English High Court. Key liability issues are determined. VW's UK legal defence focuses on whether UK purchasers can rely on the same defeat device evidence as US claimants.
2025–2027
Expected settlements or judgments
UK group litigation is expected to produce settlements or final judgments within this period, potentially delivering compensation to hundreds of thousands of UK vehicle owners. Claimants already registered will be prioritised.
FAQs

Diesel emissions claims — frequently asked questions

Can I claim if I bought a used diesel car — not new?+
Yes. The defeat device mis-selling argument applies to used vehicles too, because the false emissions data was used in the vehicle's specification and advertising throughout its life. If you bought a used diesel car from a dealer who represented the vehicle's emissions or fuel economy, you may have a claim. Private sales are less clear — speak to a specialist about your specific circumstances.
I've already sold the car — can I still claim?+
Yes. The claim arises from the original purchase — when you were mis-sold the vehicle. The fact that you've since sold the car doesn't extinguish the claim. You may need to evidence the purchase (typically with the original sales invoice or finance agreement), but you do not need to currently own the vehicle.
What evidence do I need?+
You'll typically need: your vehicle's registration number, the original purchase invoice or finance agreement, and details of who you bought the vehicle from and when. Your solicitor will use the vehicle's VIN (chassis number) to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in the affected batch for your manufacturer. Documents can often be retrieved years later from dealers or finance companies.
Why does the deadline matter so urgently?+
Limitation periods in diesel emissions cases are genuinely disputed. Defendants argue the clock started running in September 2015 when Dieselgate was publicly reported — which would put the 6-year window as expired in 2021. Claimants argue the clock runs from when each individual became aware of the specific defeat device in their specific vehicle. Courts have not yet finally resolved this, but delay significantly increases your legal risk. Register your claim now, even if proceedings haven't yet begun.
Related guides

Manufacturer-specific and related guides

VW Group
Volkswagen Dieselgate Claim — UK Group Litigation Guide
Read →
Mercedes
Mercedes Diesel Emissions Claim — Am I Eligible?
Read →
BMW
BMW Diesel Emissions — What UK Owners Can Claim
Read →
Urgent
Diesel Emissions Claim Deadline — Don't Miss Out
Read →
Related claim
PCP Car Finance Mis-Selling — Also Affecting VW Buyers
Read →
Disclaimer: UK diesel emissions group litigation is ongoing. Estimated payouts are speculative — no UK judgments or settlements have yet established final compensation amounts. Limitation periods are disputed. This is not legal advice. Act promptly and consult a specialist solicitor.