EXCLUSIVE: Lawyers taking 8 car manufacturers to court over cheating emission rules
Thompsons Solicitors wants Nissan, Volvo, Fiat and 5 other car giants to give a full apology to customers.
Last updated 5th Sep 2022
Nissan, Volvo and Renault are being asked to give customers compensation after reportedly selling diesel cars which failed to meet emission standards.
Thompsons Solicitors are taking them and five other big names to court claiming the vehicles were sold between 2009 and 2020.
Speaking exclusively to MFR, Patrick McGuire said: "The use of cheat devices is almost industry wide and it is endemic.
"We have recognised so many drivers have been conned by these manufacturers and we have evidence that shows they produced cars which thwarted the rules."
"It is incredibly unfair what happened to these customers"
Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Jaguar and Vauxhall are also facing claims they broke the law and Patrick wants them to offer drivers compensation.
He added: "They are the victims of the diesel gate scandal and our consumer laws are quite clear that, in these circumstances, they need a full apology.
"It is incredibly unfair what has happened to these customers because they bought a vehicle that they believed would meet the regulations.
"They have been let down badly."
"I would like to see them set up a full and proper compensation scheme"
This is not the first time the car industry has been hit with allegations of producing vehicles which do not meet pollution laws.
Thompsons Solicitors already has two big law suits against Volkswagen and Mercedes.
Patrick said: "All too often we have situations where big organisations commit wrongs against large numbers of people and they try to hide.
"These manufacturers have finally been caught and they have to apologise immediately.
"I would like to see them set up a full and proper compensation scheme."
A spokesperson for Stellantis which represents Vauxhall, Fiat, Citroen and Peugeot said: “Stellantis UK is aware of certain advertising campaigns promoting legal claims against motor manufacturers in connection with the emissions performance of certain vehicles.
"Stellantis rejects these claims and confirms that our vehicles comply with all applicable regulations.”
A statement from Renault said: "In the UK, threatened class actions, in which some very preliminary procedural steps have been taken, are currently being brought by three law firms against Renault Group and certain authorized dealers.
"Renault recalls that its vehicles are not equipped with illegal defeat devices. Renault has always complied with French and European regulations.
"Renault vehicles have always been homologated in accordance with the law and regulations in force at the time."
A spokesperson for Volvo said: “All Volvo Cars have been certified and approved according to legal and regulatory requirements and the technology used for emission control is industry standard and well known to authorities.
"Honesty and integrity are central to the way we operate.”
We've approached Jaguar for a response and Nissan refused to comment.