(qlmbusinessnews.com . Mon 13th Oct, 2025) London, UK —
Emissions Scandal Escalates: Major Car Brands Face Legal Showdown in High Court
A landmark legal battle is set to commence at the High Court this Monday, involving allegations against five major car manufacturers. These companies are accused of manipulating emissions tests, in a case that marks a significant chapter in the ongoing “dieselgate” scandal. The accusations centre around the alleged use of software in vehicles that could reduce the emissions of harmful gases during testing conditions.
This trial is poised to be the largest group litigation in the history of English and Welsh law, potentially impacting up to 1.6 million car owners. The manufacturers in the spotlight are Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot/Citroën, Renault, and Nissan, all of whom refute the claims.
Selected as the primary defendants in this extensive legal ordeal, these five brands are accused by approximately 220,000 car owners of deceiving them regarding emissions tests. With the verdict of this case pending, an additional nine car manufacturers could face similar allegations.
The roots of the dieselgate scandal trace back to September 2015 when Volkswagen was accused by the US Environmental Protection Agency of installing so-called “defeat devices” in diesel cars. These devices allegedly allowed vehicles to pass emissions tests by artificially lowering their nitrogen oxide emissions. In a landmark ruling in 2020, the High Court found Volkswagen had indeed used these defeat devices, contravening European Union regulations.
In an out-of-court settlement, Volkswagen compensated 91,000 British car owners with £193 million. Globally, the scandal has cost the company over €32 billion (£27.8 billion), with the majority of these costs incurred in the US.
The current trial will scrutinize whether the accused manufacturers installed similar devices designed to circumvent clean air laws. Allegedly, these devices could detect test conditions, prompting the vehicle to adjust its power and performance to achieve lower emissions readings.
Legal representatives for the car owners will argue that their clients were misled concerning the environmental credentials of their vehicles. They will also claim that cars still in use are emitting pollution at levels dangerous to public health.
Despite the trial commencing on Monday, a final judgment is not anticipated until the summer of 2026. Should the court rule against the manufacturers, a subsequent trial to determine compensation levels is expected in the autumn of 2026.
Martin Deigh of Leigh Day, representing the drivers, articulated the significance of the trial: “A decade after the Dieselgate scandal first emerged, 1.6 million UK motorists now have the opportunity to prove in court the existence of technology designed to cheat emissions tests in their vehicles.”
He added that a confirmation of these allegations would signify a profound breach of trust by these corporations, potentially exposing millions to harmful emissions unbeknownst to them.
The accused companies have collectively dismissed the allegations, asserting the legality and compliance of their vehicles with existing regulations at the time. Mercedes defended the test mechanisms as technically and legally justifiable, while Renault and Stellantis (the parent company of Peugeot and Citroën) maintained that their vehicles adhered to regulatory standards. Ford and Nissan also rejected the claims, affirming their commitment to compliance in all operational markets.
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