Mercedes, Ford, Nissan, Renault and Stellantis accused of using illegal devices that underestimated emissions tests.
Mercedes, Ford, Nissan and Renault trial begins in London over “dieselgate”
One of the largest class action lawsuits in British history began on Monday at the High Court in London: 1.6 million car owners accuse leading carmakers of manipulating diesel emissions tests.
Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault and Stellantis (owner of Peugeot and Citroën) are on trial.
The essence of the charges
The plaintiffs claim that the carmakers used illegal “defeat devices” – devices that recognized laboratory tests and underestimated emissions during testing. In normal driving, the cars emitted significantly more harmful substances.
The manufacturers deny guilt. Mercedes-Benz said its emissions control systems were “legal and technically sound.”
The trial and its aftermath
The current phase of the trial involves a small sample of models to determine whether the banned devices were used.
If the court finds guilty, the compensation issues for 850,000 car owners will be considered separately in 2026.
The court’s decision will set a precedent for hundreds of thousands of similar claims against other brands, including Vauxhall/Opel and BMW.
Lawyers: “Unprecedented breach of trust”
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Martin Day of Leigh Day, said that if the allegations are proven, it would be “one of the most serious breaches of corporate trust in modern times.”
Similar trials have already taken place around the world:
- In 2020, a British court found Volkswagen guilty of “dieselgate.”
- VW eventually paid more than €32 billion in fines, compensation and legal costs.
- In 2024, a court in the Netherlands found that Opel, Peugeot and Citroën also used such devices, although Stellantis is appealing the decision.
Global implications
The diesel emissions scandals have affected the US, the EU and Asia, forcing the auto giants to pay billions in fines. The total cost of the British lawsuit is estimated at £6 billion ($7.9 billion).
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