The UK High Court has delivered a major blow to approximately 1.6 million motorists who were suing car manufacturers over alleged "defeat devices" in their diesel vehicles. The court found that Mercedes-Benz AG, Ford Motor Co., Stellantis NV (Peugeot-Citroën), Renault SA, and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. did not use software specifically designed to bypass emissions regulations. This ruling, which came in late October, largely dismisses claims that these manufacturers deliberately manipulated nitrogen oxide emissions readings, a central accusation in the "dieselgate" lawsuit.
The class action, described by lawyers as the largest in English and Welsh legal history, sought billions of pounds in compensation for affected drivers. The High Court's decision means that a significant portion of this multibillion-pound claim will not proceed to a second trial to determine compensation. The manufacturers had consistently denied the accusations, stating that their vehicles complied with regulations at the time of sale. This outcome contrasts with the 2020 High Court ruling against Volkswagen, which led to a $245 million (£193 million) settlement for 91,000 drivers in the UK.
While the main claims against the five lead defendants have been rejected, the broader "dieselgate" scandal has already cost Volkswagen more than $34 billion (EUR32 billion) globally, primarily in the US. The initial "dieselgate" scandal erupted in September 2015 when Volkswagen admitted to installing "defeat devices." The UK case was significant because its outcome could have set a precedent for similar claims against nine other car manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and Toyota, who were also facing allegations. Leigh Day, one of the law firms representing claimants, had previously estimated potential compensation could be "thousands" per vehicle if the court found against the carmakers. The ruling prevents a potentially massive payout from these manufacturers.
