UK drivers have been dealt a blow by the High Court after it rejected most allegations against five major carmakers in relation to the so-called “dieselgate” scandal.
The High Court has rejected many of the allegations levelled against five automakers over claims they used banned “defeat devices”.
It marks the first stage of the legal battle over whether some of the diesel vehicles were illegally overriding limiting emissions control systems.
The case marks the largest group claim trial in English and Welsh history, with around 1.6 million vehicle owners represented.
The trial focused on 20 sample vehicles produced by five brands, namely Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault and the Stellantis-owned manufacturers Citroen and Peugeot.
Allegations levied against the brands stated that they were fitted with devices during lab testing to show reduced emissions.
However, during real-world driving, defeat devices allow vehicles to emit significantly higher levels of polluting gases.
The High Court has rejected most allegations against five major car brands relating to the dieselgate scandal
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GETTY
Reuters reported that Judge Sara Cockerill said the case had been “rejected most of the principal allegations advanced against the manufacturers whose vehicles were examined at trial”.
Reacting to the ruling, Mercedes-Benz welcomed that the court had ruled “very largely in favour” of the brand.
The court rejected claims that manufacturers had intentionally used defeat devices to mislead emissions tests.
The dieselgate scandal was first brought to light 10 years ago
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PA
Speaking to Sky News, legal expert Joshua Rozenberg said: “At first reading it’s certainly not the absolute victory that the claimants were hoping for.
“It is a substantial victory for the manufacturers. The manufacturers are going to be relieved.”
