Could you claim £3,000 compensation after VW emissions scandal? Here’s how to find out if you can join the lawsuit
Eligible drivers could get £3,000 in compensation if the lawsuit is successful
MORE than 2million Brits could be in line for a pay-out if a High Court battle is successful.
Drivers caught up in the VW emissions scandal could pocket £3,000 in compensation by joining a lawsuit against the car firm.
The German car maker has admitted 11 million vehicles worldwide - including 1.2million in the UK - were fitted with software to cheat emissions tests.
It meant that drivers of VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda diesel vehicles believed their cars were environmentally friendly but instead the emissions were far higher than the company said.
As a result VW is involved in lawsuits in several countries and has agreed a $15 billion (£12 billion) settlement with US authorities and owners of affected vehicles.
Now a UK law firm, Harcus Sinclair, has submitted a case to the High Court against VW on behalf of 10,000 affected UK consumers.
It estimates that drivers could get around £3,000 in compensation, if the case is successful.
With the average Brit changing their car once every five to six years, the legal team behind the lawauit estimates that there could be more wronged drivers than previously estimated.
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In a statement the VW Group said: "We have been notified that Harcus Sinclair intends to bring proceedings against Volkswagen on behalf of 77 claimants in the English High Court in relation to the NOx emissions issue.
“As we have previously said, we intend to defend such claims robustly. We haven't received the claim yet, so we cannot comment further."
Are you eligible to join the VW emissions lawsuit?
In order to join the “class action” you’ll need to meet this criteria. This includes:
- Your car is/was a VW, Audi, Seat or Skoda
- It has/had a 1.2, 1.6 or 2 litre diesel engine
- It was made between 2009 and 2015
- You purchased, leased or acquired it (new or secondhand) before 1 January 2016
It’s important to note that not all cars manufactured by the VW Group are affected.
If you sign up then you’ll be represented by Harcus Sinclair or Slater and Gordon who are leading the action against VW.
There is no cost to sign up, as it is on a no-win, no-fee basis - but if the case is successful then 30 per cent of the compensation awarded will be taken by the court to cover legal costs.
The case is due to be heard in the High Court on Monday 30 January. It could take at least two years before claimants receive money and even then only if the lawsuit is successful.
A rival law firm, Leigh Day, has been approached by £10,000 VW owners and is submitting two test cases to the Motor Ombudsman.
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