Volkswagen, one of the five largest automakers in the world, is making final preparations for its day in court this coming Monday. This trial is at the center of claims from the infamous diesel emissions scandal, or “Dieselgate.” Whatever the outcome, this lawsuit is an important milestone in English and Welsh legal history. In the lawsuit, the DOJ alleges that Volkswagen intentionally used software to cheat emissions tests on its diesel cars. This case has the potential to benefit at least 1.6 million UK car owners.
The firestorm that ended with her resignation started in September 2015. That’s when the United States Environmental Protection Agency first accused Volkswagen of including “defeat devices” in its diesel vehicles. These devices sought to minimize nitrogen oxide emissions while undergoing testing. With this loophole, vehicles could pass regulatory tests, but in actual driving conditions they spewed toxic pollutants well above legal limits. In 2020, the High Court formally ruled in favor of the affected consumers that Volkswagen had violated European Union regulations by using such devices.
Volkswagen may be the poster child, but they are not the only ones being watched closely. The court has already named four other automobile manufacturers—Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot/Citroën, and Nissan—as co-defendants in this lead trial. Collectively, these companies will face allegations that could have deep financial consequences. Volkswagen has now spent the best part of €32 billion (£27.8 billion) on the scandal. So far the bulk of this payment has been funneled back to the US.
Even as the trial opens, Volkswagen remains adamant that it did nothing wrong. A spokesperson for Mercedes stated that their position is “justifiable from a technical and legal standpoint,” while Nissan emphasized its commitment to compliance across all markets.
Martin Deigh, a representative of the claimants, remarked on the significance of the case:
“A decade after the Dieselgate scandal first came to light, 1.6 million UK motorists now get their chance to establish at trial whether their vehicles contained technology designed to cheat emissions tests.”
The trial itself is likely to extend over several months, so no judgment will be expected until summer 2026. Should the court decide against Volkswagen, they will proceed to a second trial. The trial to set compensation levels will reportedly begin in fall 2026.
“one of the most egregious breaches of corporate trust in modern times.”
The trial is expected to last several months, with a judgment not anticipated until summer 2026. Should the court find against Volkswagen, a subsequent trial to determine compensation levels is projected to commence in autumn 2026.