Latest update in the Renault diesel emissions investigations

Having been subjected to investigations several years ago, it has now been confirmed that French carmaker Renault has been charged by a court. Launched in 2017, the Renault diesel emissions investigations are among many probes into alleged emissions fraud that have been aimed at a number of accused carmakers.

Since the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal that broke in the media in 2015, in which the company was accused of fitting illegal defeat devices to its diesel vehicles, a number of the world’s most well-known car brands have also been met with accusations that they manipulated emissions control software in their diesel cars. Volkswagen has already been levelled with billions of pounds in fines, and the latest decision in the Renault case indicates that it may be heading towards higher financial penalties also.

As the first firm to initiate High Court proceedings in England and Wales against Volkswagen soon after the scandal broke, we have been representing claimants affected by alleged emissions cheating for over 5 years. We are determined to see that all suspected carmakers are held to account where allegations are proven. We can take on claims for any car owners who are found to have been affected by Renault’s alleged emissions cheating.

The Renault diesel emissions investigations so far

In 2017, it was announced that French prosecutors were launching Renault diesel emissions investigations, looking into allegations that the carmaker might have manipulated the software in their engines in order to deceitfully pass emissions tests.

Independent testing had reportedly indicated that there were high levels of harmful NOx emissions produced by Renault’s diesel vehicles. Not only could these high levels of NOx put Renault in breach of emissions regulations, they could present a danger to human health and to the environment.

The Renault diesel emissions investigations have now led to a formal charge against Renault.

What does the charge mean for Renault?

After being charged, Renault has reportedly been ordered to pay a bail of €20 million and must provide a €60 million guarantee that is designed to cover potential damages. The carmaker continues to deny the accusations of wrongdoing and has responded to the investigations to state that they have always complied with emissions regulations. The action against Renault looks set to proceed in the French courts.

What can affected owners do in England and Wales?

No such proceedings have formally commenced in England and Wales, but we are taking on claims for Renault owners who own, or have previously owned, diesel vehicles that may have been affected by emissions irregularities. If the accusations against Renault are found to be true here in our courts, this could constitute a breach of consumer law, and those affected may be entitled to recover thousands of pounds in damages.

A compensation claim also allows you to join the fight to bring car manufacturers to justice where allegations are proven. As pioneers of car emissions litigation, Your Lawyers is determined to see that all accused carmakers are held to account where necessary and where they have broken the law.

The latest development in the Renault diesel emissions investigations could help our cause, and you can join the legal fight for justice here.

If you make a compensation claim with Your Lawyers, we can offer No Win, No Fee representation to eligible claimants. This means that you won’t have to pay our legal fees if your case is unsuccessful, subject to the terms and conditions we have in place. To find out if you could be entitled to claim, you can go to our online form and fill in your details, or you can contact our team directly for free, no-obligation advice.