A four year trial concluded when a German court sentenced four former Volkswagen directors for their part in the diesel cheating emission scandal uncovered in 2015.
Two defendants received prison sentences, with the former head of diesel motor development receiving the heaviest term of four years and six months.
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While the trial might have been brought to a close, prosecutors are still uncovering how widely the scandal was known around the company. According to the Financial Times, criminal proceedings against a total of 31 defendants are still pending.
Volkswagen is also facing a separate civil case, where it may have to pay damages for the effects dieslgate had on the markets.
Currently, the emission cheating scandal has cost Volkswagen billions, with some of this money owed to UK drivers as compensation.
Check Diesel emissions claims eligibility
What was Dieselgate?
In September 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an American environmental regulatory body, found a “defeat device” in many US Volkswagens. This was a piece of software which would make the vehicle look less polluting than it was during emissions testing.
Volkswagen later admitted that this software could be found in millions of vehicles worldwide – including models across the UK and Europe.
In the UK, over 1.2 million diesels were recalled once the EPA found these devices. This included thousands of Volkswagens, Audis, and Skodas.
However, Diesel Claim, a law firm, believes many other vehicle manufacturers are guilty of fitting these devices too.
That includes Ford, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes, Renault, and Nissan.
Can I still claim compensation?
Diesel Claim said UK drivers are due compensation for this scandal, and it is fighting the case for claimants in court.
It believes it has affected the resale value of affected vehicles, led to higher fuel costs for consumers, and increased your carbon footprint – meaning drivers should receive a pay out.
To be eligible to claim compensation through Diesel Claim, you need to have bought a diesel vehicle between 2009 and 2019. The vehicle must also have been manufactured between these dates.
If you’re unsure, you can type your vehicle’s registration number into its claims checker.
Claimants could receive up to £10,000 in compensation.
Diesel Claim works on a no win no fee basis, meaning you won’t need to pay any fees for joining. It’s only if you’re successfully awarded compensation that Diesel Claim will take a cut of your compensation.
