Diesel emission claims 🚗

Hide

Table of Contents

You may have heard about diesel emissions claims — often linked to the term “Dieselgate”.

These are large group legal actions against major car manufacturers, alleging that certain diesel vehicles were fitted with software designed to cheat official emissions tests.

Around 1.6 million UK drivers have already signed up to these claims. For some people, it could eventually mean compensation — but it’s important to understand the risks, limits, and long timelines involved.

What are diesel emissions claims about?

The claims allege that some car manufacturers used illegal “defeat devices” in diesel vehicles.

These are alleged to be systems that:

• detect when a car is being emissions-tested

• reduce emissions during testing

• but allow higher, more polluting emissions during real-world driving

Law firms argue this means affected vehicles:

• produced more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution than advertised

• were mis-sold to consumers

• may have been worth less than buyers paid

Manufacturers strongly deny these allegations. The courts will decide who is right.

Which vehicles could be affected?

In broad terms, claims relate to:

• diesel cars and vans

• first registered roughly between 2009 and 2020

• across multiple major manufacturers

You may still be eligible even if:

• you bought the vehicle second-hand

• you leased it or used finance

• you no longer own the vehicle

You generally cannot join if the vehicle was bought outside the UK.

Can you bring a claim yourself?

Realistically, no.

These cases involve:

• complex technical evidence

• emissions regulations

• expert witnesses

• and huge legal costs

For individuals, pursuing a solo case would be financially unrealistic, which is why these are brought as group legal actions.

If you pursue a claim at all, it will almost always be via a law firm running a group case (see below).

Claims progress: England & Wales

High Court trial underway (as of October 2025)

A major trial is currently taking place in the High Court of Justice, focusing on six “lead” manufacturers:

• Citroën

• Ford

• Mercedes

• Nissan

• Peugeot

• Renault

This trial is expected to:

• run until late 2025

• receive a judgment in summer 2026

If the claim succeeds, there would still need to be a separate follow-on trial to decide compensation — meaning payouts (if any) are likely years away, potentially 2027 or later.

If it fails, it could end many other diesel emissions claims at once.

Many other claims are currently on hold

Because of the scale of litigation, the courts selected the six manufacturers above as “lead defendants”.

This means:

• other manufacturers’ cases are paused

• they will likely be bound by the outcome of the lead case

This speeds things up overall — but also increases the risk of an all-or-nothing outcome.

Settled cases: VW Group (EA189 engines)

Some VW Group vehicles (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW with EA189 engines) were involved in earlier cases that:

• were settled out of court

• resulted in £193 million being paid in England & Wales

However:

• settlements set no legal precedent

• individual payouts were confidential

• and this doesn’t guarantee outcomes for other manufacturers

Is it too late to join in England & Wales?

For most manufacturers, yes.

The High Court set formal cut-off dates, and most passed by December 2024.

One limited exception:
Some firms are still accepting claims for certain Volvo vehicles, due to different alleged circumstances. This is being explored separately.

What about Scotland?

In Scotland, group legal actions are newer and:

• some law firms are still accepting registrations

• claims cover a range of manufacturers

However:

• cases are less advanced

• timelines are long

• outcomes are uncertain

The firm you choose won’t usually affect whether the case wins — but it will affect how much you keep if compensation is awarded.

What about Northern Ireland?

At present:

• we’re not aware of active diesel emissions group claims

• no-win, no-fee arrangements are more restricted

This makes claims harder to pursue, though the situation could change.

How much compensation could you get?

This is the most important reality check.

While some law firms quote figures of:

• £1,000s

• or even up to £10,000

…the actual amount (if any) will depend on:

• whether the claim succeeds

• what financial loss the court believes you suffered

• whether the case settles or goes to judgment

• and legal fees

Even if claims succeed, payouts could be:

• lower than advertised

• reduced by legal costs

• or paid years in the future

There are no guarantees.

Is signing up really “risk-free”?

Usually no upfront cost, but not risk-free.

Important points:

• firms typically take 30%–50% of any payout

• claims may be covered by “after the event” (ATE) insurance

• in rare cases, costs could exceed insurance caps

You also usually have:

• 14 days to cancel after signing up, penalty-free

• possible exit fees if you leave later (must be fair and clearly stated)

Only sign up if you’re comfortable committing long-term.

Recommended provider (optional – no win, no fee route)

If you’ve already checked you’re eligible and want a simple, online, no-win-no-fee option, we recommend Claim For My Car.

They allow you to:

• 🚗 Enter your reg plate and check eligibility in under 30 seconds

• 📄 Submit everything online (no paperwork posting back and forth)

• ⚖️ Join a wider group claim if eligible

• 💷 Pay nothing upfront — they only get paid if the claim succeeds

They currently cover brands including BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Renault and Nissan, and you can usually claim even if:

• you’ve sold the vehicle

• it was a company car

• it was financed or leased

Why consider using a provider?

Diesel emissions claims are complex group legal actions.
You generally can’t realistically run one of these yourself, as they involve expert reports, coordinated court proceedings and significant legal costs.

A specialist firm:

• Handles the legal process

• Keeps you updated

• Bundles your case into a larger group action

• Absorbs most of the financial risk via no win, no fee agreements

The honest bit - going through a claim

• Payouts are not guaranteed

• Claims can take years

• If successful, the firm will take a percentage of any compensation

• If you withdraw after the cooling-off period, fees may apply depending on terms

This isn’t “free money” — it’s legal action that may or may not succeed.

But if you genuinely believe you were mis-sold a diesel vehicle and don’t want to navigate the legal process alone, using a specialist provider like Claim For My Car can be a practical way to take part.

Things to consider before joining a claim

Before signing anything, ask yourself:

• Would I still pursue this if it takes 5+ years?

• Am I comfortable with uncertain outcomes?

• Do I believe I suffered a real financial loss?

• Have I read and understood the fee structure?

If the answer to any of those is no, it may not be right for you.

What do manufacturers say?

All manufacturers involved deny wrongdoing and say:

• their vehicles met emissions standards at the time

• claims are without merit

• and they will defend them robustly

The courts will ultimately decide.

Final thoughts

Diesel emissions claims are not easy money.

They are:

• slow

• complex

• legally uncertain

• and emotionally draining for some claimants

For some drivers, joining a claim may be worthwhile.
For others, the time, uncertainty, and potential returns won’t stack up.

The key is going in with eyes open.