More than one million drivers could finally receive compensation years after a major scandal destroyed confidence in the motoring industry, with a landmark trial set to begin later today.
Later today, the High Court will open the UK Dieselgate trial, also referred to as the “Pan NOx PDD Trial”, which will be one of the largest consumer group actions ever heard by an English court.
Legal experts state that more than 1.6 million drivers are taking action against major car manufacturers for their role in the Dieselgate scandal.
Some of the world’s largest automakers are accused of using unlawful software, known as “defeat devices”, to cheat in emissions tests and mislead motorists.
When purchasing their vehicles, motorists may have been under the impression that the cars were more environmentally friendly than they actually were.
In some cases, claimants allege that the vehicles emitted up to 40 times the legal limit, despite official testing showing cleaner results.
The High Court trial starting today is expected to last three months and could inform a future compensation scheme for those impacted by the scandal.
A damning report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that defeat devices in diesel vehicles have contributed to more than 205,000 premature deaths across the EU and UK since 2009.
A landmark trial on the emissions cheating scandal will begin at the High Court today
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Of these, the Dieselgate scandal is believed to have contributed to 22,000 deaths in the UK, in addition to 41,000 new cases of childhood asthma.
Alicia Alinia, CEO at Pogust Goodhead, said: “This trial is a mammoth feat by the justice system, reflecting the scale of the alleged wrongdoing by car manufacturers.
“The case goes to the heart of corporate accountability and environmental justice.
“The Court will test whether prohibited defeat devices were used to game emissions rules and, if so, what impact they have had on the air we all breathe and the health of people exposed to higher levels of harmful pollution.”
Five major manufacturers will be present at the emissions cheating scandal trial
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GETTYThe expert outlined that the judgment in the case will determine the future of UK claims, with Ms Alinia noting that it could “send a clear signal to the wider industry on compliance and consumer trust”.
The High Court trial is set to begin today, Monday, October 13, until Friday, December 19, although the case will not be heard on Fridays.
Each of the major manufacturers included in the case will present their evidence over the course of a designated week between October and December. This includes Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot-Citroen, Renault and Nissan.
Closing submissions are expected to take place in March, with a damages, or quantum, trial listed for October 2026, although this will depend on a range of factors.
Ms Alinia concluded: “Drivers were told they were buying cleaner, compliant cars. Many paid more to have an environmentally friendly vehicle and breathed dirtier air instead. They deserve answers, accountability, and compensation.”
A spokesperson for Mercedes told the BBC that mechanisms involved in emissions testing were “justifiable from a technical and legal standpoint”.
Renault and Stellantis, which owns Citroen and Peugeot, said vehicles sold were compliant with regulations at the time.
A representative from Ford said the claims had “no merit”, while Nissan said it was “committed to compliance in all markets”.