Skip advert
Advertisement

VW settles ‘class action’ over dieselgate for £193m

91,000 drivers - and lawyers - to share payout after Volkswagen opts to avoid court hearing

The Volkswagen Group has agreed to pay out £193 million as a settlement to owners in England and Wales affected by the dieselgate scandal, without making ‘any admission in respect of liability, causation or loss’.

The settlement announced on 25th May means VW buyers who participated in the Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group Litigation will each be in line for a share of the huge payout.

The VW Group says “the legal costs of litigating this case to a six-month trial in England, and then in relation to any further appeals by either party, were such that settlement was the most prudent course of action commercially.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

While it hasn’t admitted liability in this case, the High Court decided back in 2020 that VW had installed so-called ‘defeat devices’ in its cars that were designed to cheat emission tests.

UK consumers affected by the dieselgate scandal were represented by law firms Slater and Gordon, Leigh Day and PGMBM. They formed a court appointed steering committee representing all claimants.
VW says it will make an additional contribution to the claimants legal fees in the case, and payouts to individual claimants will depend on proportions agreed amongst the legal firms and the groups they represent. 

VW’s statement included a further apology for its actions, which kept the firm in the headlines for all the wrong reasons for several years after its wrongdoing was exposed in 2015: “The Volkswagen Group would, once again, like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to their customers for the two mode software installed in the EA189 vehicles. The Volkswagen Group will continue to work to rebuild the trust of their customers here in England & Wales. This settlement represents an important further stage in that process.”

The CEO of law firm Slater and Gordon, David Whitmore, said it has spent five years representing 70,000 drivers in their fight for compensation. “The settlement avoids the need for a lengthy, complex and expensive trial process and we are delighted to have achieved this settlement for our customers as a result of the group action," he commented.

Do you think Volkswagen should have to pay more for dieselgate? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Confirmed: New Volkswagen ID.2X electric crossover to be unveiled in September
New Volkswagen ID.2all SUV silhouette teaser

Confirmed: New Volkswagen ID.2X electric crossover to be unveiled in September

Volkswagen’s response to the funky Renault 4 E-Tech should offer nearly 300 miles of range and a £25,000 starting price
News
14 Feb 2025
New Volkswagen ID.EVERY1: electric city car concept’s cheeky design teased ahead of full reveal
Volkswagen ID.EVERY 1 concept sketch - front 3/4

New Volkswagen ID.EVERY1: electric city car concept’s cheeky design teased ahead of full reveal

New sketches from VW give us a further taste of what to expect from ID.EVERY 1 that previews electric city car
News
13 Feb 2025
VW makes more room for haggling on new car prices by ditching direct sales
Volkswagen ID.4 - front

VW makes more room for haggling on new car prices by ditching direct sales

Slow EV demand blamed for rethink across most group brands, but there’s no change at Cupra
News
28 Jan 2025
Car deal alert! Almost £9k off a VW ID.5 plus huge savings on brand's other electric cars
Volkswagen ID.3 - front tracking

Car deal alert! Almost £9k off a VW ID.5 plus huge savings on brand's other electric cars

In addition to the enormous deposit contributions, Volkswagen is also giving customers a free home wallbox plus 10k miles worth of free charging
News
20 Jan 2025

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front corner right

Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price

The Golf GTI has skilfully combined racy performance with everyday useability for nearly 50 years. It’s our Deal of the Day for 10 February
News
10 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts