Drivers all over the UK have been affected by the diesel emissions scandal, which led to legal actions being taken against large car manufacturers. If you own or leased a diesel car that might have been equipped with emissions-cheating software, you may be eligible to compensation. Knowing how the emissions claims process works and what rights you have as a vehicle owner is the first step to solving what you can do.
What Is an Emissions Claim?
A diesel emissions claim is a claims process whereby vehicle owners may receive compensation on manufacturers alleged to have used software to cheat diesel emissions tests. The accusation is that the car manufacturers had deceived the consumers into believing that their cars were environmentally friendly, when in actual sense the cars produced a lot more toxic emissions than what was stipulated by the EU laws.
These allegations are grounded on the UK consumer and environmental protection legislation and the violation of the Consumer Protection against Unfair Trading Regulations of 2008 and the misrepresentation act of 1967. The legal basis is that consumers paid a premium price to buy cars that were advertised as being cleaner and more efficient only to find out that they had been lied to.
Who is Eligible to claim Emissions?
To have a claim, you may qualify in case:
- You bought,leased, or financed a diesel car model year 2009 through 2020
- The brand that produced the vehicle took part in the emissions scandal (e.g. Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, and others)
- You are still the owner of the vehicle or were the owner on the affected period.
Individuals and businesses (such as fleet owners) can qualify, even though the vehicle might have been sold.
What Are the Rights of a Vehicle Owner?
Vehicle owners in the UK can be fairly treated, informed correctly and obtain redress in the event they are misled as per the provisions of the law. Specifically:
- You have the right to have correct environmental and performance information at the sale point
- In case of a misrepresentation, you can claim loss of value, overpayment, or poor performance decreased
- You are entitled to participate in group litigation in order to enhance your claim and to cut down on the personal legal expenses
Even when your car was recalled and updated, you still have the right to compensation. Some owners claimed that their fuel efficiency or performance was diminished after the recall, which adds more validity to their argument.
What is the Process of Filing an Emissions Claim?
- Lookup Vehicle Eligibility: Look up your vehicle to see if it is covered in current emissions litigation. This is achievable by visiting the websites of law firms or by entering your registration number into an eligibility check.
- Select a Law Firm: There are a number of law firms that have emissions claims on a no-win, no-fee basis so you do not have to pay anything unless your claim succeeds. Select a law firm that has dealt with group consumer litigation.
- Provide Documentation: You will need to give documentation that proves you own or lease the property.
- This normally involves:
- Vehicle registration (V5C)
- Finance/lease agreements
- Purchase receipts
- Be Part of a Group Action: Your claim will most probably fall under a larger group litigation order (GLO) that will be taken against the manufacturer. Group claims are effective and have more strength in the court.
- Legal Proceedings: Our legal team will take care of the proceedings after your details have been filed. You will be informed about the development of the case and might be requested to add the details in case it is necessary.
- Compensation Outcome: Provided that the claim is successful, you may get compensation in respect of:
- Monetary loss as a result of overpayment
- Decrease in vehicle resale value
- Fuel efficiency after the recall is lost
- Misrepresentation and inconvenience general damages
How Much Can You Get?
The amount of payouts differs according to the brand and model of the vehicle, the duration of ownership, and the decisions of the courts. Historical emissions arguments have already brought about compensation of between 1,000 and more than 10,000 pound per vehicle.
Is There a Time Limits to Filing?
Yes. Emissions claims are time barred. Statutory time bars (limitation periods) run depending on the date of your vehicle purchase or date of awareness of the problem. By acting promptly you can prevent losing the right to claim.
Final Thoughts
Worth checking if you are eligible to join an emissions claim: In case you owned or leased a diesel vehicle between 2009 and 2020. In Europe, car manufacturers have already been penalized and they have paid compensation. You are a victim and you have rights as a UK vehicle owner and the legal teams are moving forward to bring justice to thousands of drivers.
Do not wait to be too late. Examine your documents and contact an eligible law firm and initiate the process of punishing manufacturers involved in such deceptive acts.