MORE than one million Vauxhall owners in the UK could may be affected by a new legal action started after fears the popular car brand installed emissions cheat devices on their cars.
A new legal action has been launched claiming the defeat devices were installed on over 600,000 Vauxhall models. The Vauxhall Pay Up campaign claims drivers were mis-sold cars which had cheated their emissions tests.
This means drivers purchased cars with heavier pollution which were worth less than what owners paid for it.
The case will use evidence from regulators and academic studies across the UK and Europe as well as forensic analysis from a glocal expert.
Defeat devices are integrated into the car’s engine management system and are specifically designed to improve environmental performance in test conditions.
This reduces the amount of emissions the car pumps out in a testing environment but is not representative of real driving conditions.
Legal action could affect those who have purchased or leased Vauxhall models between 2009 and 2019.
The campaign will claim under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
This states customers who were sold products with misleading information could receive between 25 and 75 percent of the cost of the product.
However, this compensation will only be issued if the legal action is successful.
Edward Cardington, Partner at Millberg London LLP and lead lawyer for the Vauxhall Pay Up Campaign has urged owners to check whether they are eligible to join the campaign.
He 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.
“Put simply, clean Diesel looks like a myth and Vauxhall’s cars did not provide the performance drivers paid for.
“Anyone who bought a Vauxhall between 2009 and 2019 could be due compensation, and they can find out whether they might be eligible at www.vauxhallpayup.co.uk.
“My advice today is if you are in doubt, check it out. It costs nothing to take part in this group litigation.
“The risk is borne by the lawyers if we lose; if we win Vauxhall owners could receive thousands in compensation. In our view, there isn’t much to lose.”
The cheat software Vauxhall is alleged to have used is thought to be similar to the defeat devices adopted by Volkswagen in the Dieselgate scandal.
Vauxhall has rejected the accusations of using defeat devices on their vehicles, claiming their cars meet the “applicable regulations”.
The firm added they were not aware of any claims being made against the company.
In a statement to Express.co.uk, Vauxhall said: “‘Vauxhall Motors is not aware of any such claim and rejects any accusation of using illegal defeat devices.
“Our vehicles meet the applicable regulations.”
