Falsified Vehicle Emissions Compensation

The Challenge: Emissions Figures That Were Not True

Major vehicle manufacturers were found to have used software to manipulate emissions test results, making vehicles appear to produce significantly lower emissions than they actually did in real-world driving conditions. Millions of vehicles were affected across multiple manufacturers and models. Vehicle owners had purchased cars on the basis of emissions claims that were false.

The Legal Basis

Vehicle owners were mis-sold their cars — the vehicles did not perform as described at the point of sale. Claims were brought on the basis that buyers would not have purchased the vehicle, or would have paid less for it, had they known the true emissions figures. Compensation reflected the diminished value of the vehicle and the financial loss resulting from the mis-selling.

The Process: How the Claims Were Brought

Scottish Claims Helpline identified eligible vehicle owners across Scotland — those who had purchased affected models — and referred them to Dallas McMillan solicitors to pursue compensation claims against the relevant manufacturers.

The Outcome

Affected vehicle owners received settlements of approximately £3,000 each in compensation. Claims were resolved through negotiation, with Dallas McMillan handling all legal proceedings on a no win no fee basis.

Timeline

The dated entries below set out the wider “dieselgate” litigation in the UK, which established the legal position on which emissions claims rely.

• September 2015
  The “dieselgate” scandal breaks when US regulators find that Volkswagen Group diesel vehicles carry software that detects emissions tests. Around 1.2 million UK vehicles are affected.
• April 2020
  The High Court in London rules that the software in EA189 engines is a defeat device under EU regulations.
• 2020–2021
  More than 8,000 Scottish drivers begin group proceedings in the Court of Session, the first brought under the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018. Permission to proceed is granted in 2021.
• May 2022
  Volkswagen settles the England and Wales group action for £193 million across around 91,000 claimants.
• Early 2025
  The Scottish group proceedings settle for £11.9 million, resolving around 7,800 claims.
• Scottish Claims Helpline’s clients
  Vehicle owners referred by Scottish Claims Helpline pursue their own claims with Dallas McMillan solicitors and receive settlements of approximately £3,000 each.