Will VW owners affected by the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal here in the UK receive compensation?
This is the BIG question…
When the scandal broke out, millions of affected owners were horrified to find out what had happened, and how the financial value of their vehicles may be affected. So could they get their money back? In full, or even in part?
At the break of the scandal, VW UK managing director Paul Willis said that VW will not be compensating UK owners – and he hasn’t changed his remorseless tune…
Fast forward 18 months, and due to the VW scandal, THE UK VW landscape is as follows:
- Some UK affected owners either still own affected vehicles at reportedly lowered values;
- Some affected owners have sold their affected vehicles for reportedly lower values than what they were expecting;
- Volkswagen is still denying liability in the UK, despite accepting criminal charges and civil claims in the US;
- In the US, VW has paid out around $20 billion in penalty fines and compensation to owners and their dealers, and made investments in environmental initiatives and organisations;
- In the US, generous buy back and free fix schemes, plus an additional $5-10,000 for the trouble caused to consumers, are on the table;
- To the UK: no pay outs!
Why are VW treating UK customers this way?
Apparently because paying UK consumers is ‘unnecessary’. Apparently, a simple ‘fix’ will sort the cars out in no time.
Willis said that “to pay compensation there has to be a loss… there will be no difference in fuel compensation or driveability” after the ‘fix’ has been applied.
Hundreds of thousands of the 1.2 million affected vehicles in the UK still need ‘fixing’. This covers over 60 different models from various brands. However, we are receiving reports from claimants as well as experts that these simple ‘fixes’ are anything but simple!
These fixes were supposed to be a quick software alterations, but owners are coming forward to report all sorts of problems. These include:
- Glow plug light illuminating: associated with loss of power
- Clogged EGR valve: needing costly replacements from £600-£1100
- Less torque at low revs
- Increased fuel consumption
- Frequent DPF regeneration (some at 1 per week)
- Intermittent loss of power
- Engine Stalling
- Decreased MPG
- Smoking engine (reported in a Golf Vi 1.6 TDI)
- Engine needing remapping
- Knocking/rattling noises: especially noticeably in Tiguan’s
- Roughness when previously smooth driving: especially noticeable in Tiguan’s.
These problems come at a price; owners are faced with unexpected additional costs to repair these problems when it wasn’t even their fault in the first place if it is the ‘fix’ causing them!
So, when Willis says compensation would be unnecessary because the scandal would not cause any losses, and the fix will have no difference to fuel consumption and driveability, we think he spoke too soon.
Our position remains unchanged – we will fight until our clients are compensated
We say that the VW group abused the trust of millions of loyal customers for what may have been reasons motivated by financial gain. Now they say they want to regain that trust; all the while denying liability and responsibility to pay compensation to those they cheated. So, if they won’t agree to pay consumers, we will fight to make sure the High Court of Justice forces them too.
This is why we are acting for thousands of individuals claiming against the giant car manufacturer. We will be seeking a full refund plus any out of pocket expenses as a consequence of VW’s cheating.
For Volkswagen’s misrepresentation, we believe they have breached countless contracts with UK owners.
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