Law firm Milberg London claims 600,000 vehicles were fitted with devices that “cheated” emissions tests between 2009 and 2019 – with Astra, Corsa and Zafira drivers affected.
One million Vauxhall drivers could be in line for compensation payouts over allegations that the car-maker cheated emissions tests.
Law firm Milberg London claims 600,000 vehicles were fitted with “defeat” devices which “cheated” emissions tests between 2009 and 2019.
It alleges that the devices were used to help pass legal environmental requirements for cars.
It claims more than one million Astra, Corsa and Zafira drivers are affected – and, if successful, they could receive payouts of £2,500 each.
Milberg claims the drivers were mis-sold because the cars were not at the emissions standard advertised.
It says many vehicles were, as a result, worth less than the purchase price.
Drivers who bought or leased a new or used Diesel Vauxhall between 2009 and 2019 could be due money back as part of the Group Litigation case.
Lawyers are preparing legal action against the carmaker on behalf of those affected.
Vauxhall said in a statement: “Vauxhall Motors is not aware of any such claim and rejects any accusation of using illegal defeat devices. Our vehicles meet the applicable regulations.”
Rival Volkswagen was discovered to have cheated emissions tests in 2015, prompting what became known as Dieselgate scandal.
The law firm, which is also representing the Volkswagen claims, is launching the Vauxhall Pay Up campaign to find those affected.
It is planning what’s known as a Group Litigation Order (GLO), which means the courts can treat similar claims as one rather than having hundreds or even thousands of separate individual claims.
The lawyers believe that over one million drivers in the UK are affected and that if the case is successful, they could be entitled to compensation of between 25% and 75% of what they paid for the car.
The average payout for each driver could be £2,500, Milberg said.
However, this would depend entirely on whether they win the case.
Edward Cardington, partner at Milberg London and lead lawyer for the Vauxhall Pay Up Campaign, said: “The Vauxhall Pay Up campaign has set out to prove that Vauxhall cheated both the emissions tests and hardworking British drivers.
“Motorists were promised a combination of low environmental impact and high driving performance that appears to have been impossible in real driving conditions.
