Key facts
- Carmakers broadly won the first stage of UK lawsuits alleging prohibited "defeat devices" in diesel vehicles.
- Judge Sara Cockerill rejected most principal allegations against Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, and Stellantis.
- The trial focused on 20 sample vehicles from the five defendant manufacturers.
- Approximately 850,000 motorists are seeking compensation for alleged misrepresentation.
- The total payout could exceed £6 billion if the claimants are successful.
- All five defendant carmakers deny using illegal software and assert compliance with emissions laws.
Carmakers including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, and Stellantis have largely won the initial stage of a UK High Court battle concerning allegations of prohibited "defeat devices" in their diesel vehicles. Judge Sara Cockerill stated in a summary of her ruling that she had "rejected most of the principal allegations advanced against the manufacturers whose vehicles were examined at trial," though she noted some adverse findings were made.
The ruling follows a trial that focused on 20 sample vehicles produced by the five manufacturers. The class action lawsuit, which opened in London, involves 850,000 motorists seeking compensation for allegedly being misled about their vehicle's environmental performance. Law firms involved suggest the case could expand to include 1.8 million UK drivers across 14 car brands, potentially making it the largest consumer class action in British legal history.
At the core of the legal challenge is the question of whether carmakers used illegal "defeat devices" to cheat emissions tests and falsely market diesel vehicles as low-emission or eco-friendly. Claimants allege that these devices, often software, could detect laboratory testing conditions and temporarily reduce pollution output to comply with EU emissions standards. Outside of testing, the cars allegedly reverted to higher pollution levels than legally allowed.
If the High Court rules in favor of the motorists, the total payout could exceed £6 billion, potentially surpassing the Volkswagen settlement. Each driver could claim compensation for misrepresentation, loss of value, and environmental damage, depending on the vehicle's make and model. Affected cars include diesel models produced between 2007 and 2020.
All five defendant carmakers have denied using illegal software and maintain they complied with emissions laws at the time. Mercedes-Benz stated its systems were "legally and technically justified," while Renault and Stellantis claimed their vehicles met all European emissions regulations when sold. Ford dismissed the lawsuit as "without merit," and Nissan reiterated its "commitment to regulatory compliance."