Lawyers estimate emissions claims at £6bn

Vehicle manufacturers are facing compensation payouts to UK drivers of at least £6bn if found guilty of cheating on emissions tests.

Speaking at hearing in London, lawyers representing around 1.5 million claimants suing 13 different manufacturers said that even conservative estimates of the individual claims would be £4,000, which equates to over £6bn.

The claims have been filed by drivers of diesel vehicles who believe they may have been misled about the levels of emissions produced by their vehicles.

This comes after it emerged in 2015 that Volkswagen had been using ‘cheat devices to lower vehicles’ emissions levels during testing. The brand paid out £193m in 2022 to settle the claims of about 91,000 UK motorists, but other vehicle manufacturers, including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot Citroen, and Renault Nissan, have also been accused of similar practices.

Claims

However, the vehicle manufactures deny the accusations.

A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said:

“We continue to believe that the claims against Mercedes-Benz are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves against them or any group action with the necessary legal means.”

Meanwhile, a Ford spokesperson said:

“We see no merit in these claims and are robustly defending against them. Our vehicles and engines meet all applicable emissions requirements.”

The full trial will begin in October.