Mercedes Diesel Emissions Claims

What Is a Diesel Car Claim?

Essentially, this is a claim against a car manufacturer that they misled customers about nitrogen oxide emissions. The standards set have not been adhered to and defeat, or cheat, devices were fitted to present lower than actual emissions. The illegal devices or software hid the true pollution of the vehicle, which could have then been mis-sold to consumers. A diesel car claim is compensation for this mis-selling.

You can be due compensation for a diesel emissions claim if:

• You would not have bought the vehicle in the first place if you knew the emissions were higher than reported

• You incurred extra costs as a result, such as more money towards a seemingly eco-friendly car

• Your vehicle had to be worked on to bring it to emissions standards, then leading to worse fuel efficiency

Why Is This Important?

Making a diesel car claim ensures that manufacturers are held accountable for their actions. Not only are there considerations for the environment, but the health implications and financial compensation are all part of the same package. More nitrous oxides deplete the ozone layer, contaminate water sources and have the potential to cause acid rain. These gases also cause breathing problems and open up the potential for infections and heart conditions.

In essence, diesel car claims encompass a whole host of issues, both directly and indirectly affecting you. By becoming part of a group claim against car manufacturers, you can make sure your voice is heard. Any individual going up against a vehicle behemoth is unlikely to receive any compensation, which is why group claims of this type are ideal. The financial aspect of taking a multi-billion pound corporation to court yourself would completely outweigh any reward you might receive.

How Is Mercedes Affected?

Origins

After the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal, where claimants received a share of £193 million outside of court, other manufacturers have been under scrutiny. Mercedes is being targeted by almost 300,000 customers in London alone, with at least 35,000 more wishing to put their name in as well. A preliminary hearing at the High Court in February for diesel car claims has put the onus on Mercedes to come clean.

Manufacturer Response

Mercedes-Benz, however, vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “We believe that the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves against them.” The car manufacturer has agreed to handle all the claims together, but if any settlement is going to be achieved, it will most likely happen outside of court. This simply means that they will not pay out as much for your diesel car claim as they otherwise would.

Evidence

According to initial documents shown in court, certain Mercedes vehicles were fitted with technology that lowered nitrous oxide emissions. These defeat devices only worked at certain temperatures. As a result, the prosecution believes Mercedes has no grounds in which to defend itself. Whether you’ve already made a diesel car claim or wish to do so, the case is still ongoing against Mercedes.

The downside to the court case is that it heavily relies on the VW emissions scandal in order to get anywhere. In May 2022, 91,000 joint claimants against VW received a share of £193 million. As the case was settled outside of court, it meant that the manufacturer could pay them off without having to admit any liability. The group diesel car claim against Mercedes is different in that no software is used that detects when emissions tests are being conducted.

How Much Compensation Will I Get?

Some companies advertise that you can get up to £10,000 for a diesel car claim against Mercedes, but this is heavily disputed. In actuality, it’s hard to predict the compensation per claimant. It largely depends on whether the case is settled outside of court and how much you paid towards the vehicle when you owned it. It should be at least a few thousand pounds.

How Long Will a Diesel Car Claim Take?

Group claims against a manufacturer can be a lengthy process and sometimes the court cases can be drawn out over a few years. Appeals can prolong any diesel car claim settlement, but this is in a scenario where court proceedings are prolonged. Ultimately, your claim could be settled in a matter of weeks, months or years. It really depends on how the case goes.

How to Make a Diesel Claim in the UK

If you’re wondering how you can become a part of the joint diesel car claim against Mercedes, or any other manufacturer, it’s a lot simpler than you might think. To start with, you need to have been the registered owner of a diesel vehicle between 2009 and 2020. This includes buying it outright, on finance, through hire purchase or otherwise.

Secondly, because you can’t instigate legal proceedings by yourself, you will have to approach a law firm or go through a claims management company. Either company will be able to instigate your diesel car claim and put your name towards the list of claimants. If you’re struggling to find out if you qualify, you can fill in your details below and check your eligibility through our capture page.