UK Court Sides with Carmakers in Dieselgate Case

Jul 10, 2026

61 min

Jul 10, 2026 21:30

Major carmakers escape most dieselgate claims in UK trial

## High Court Ruling

The High Court in London has largely ruled in favor of five major car manufacturers—Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot-Citroen, Renault, and Nissan—regarding allegations of using devices to cheat emissions tests. The court dismissed most claims against these companies, marking a significant development in the ongoing dieselgate scandal.

## Background

The dieselgate scandal began in 2015 when Volkswagen admitted to using software to manipulate emissions tests. This revelation led to widespread legal actions against several carmakers worldwide, including in the UK.

## Future Proceedings

Despite the favorable ruling, the carmakers will face a second trial in October to assess potential damages. The court identified specific issues with certain devices, such as a coolant device in Mercedes vehicles and a strategy in some Peugeot-Citroen models.

## Reactions

While Mercedes and Ford welcomed the decision, campaigners expressed disappointment, citing ongoing concerns about excess emissions from diesel vehicles in the UK. Meanwhile, Renault plans to recover legal costs from insurers and hedge funds that supported the claims.

## Legal Implications

The case involved claims from 1.6 million motorists against 14 carmakers. The court found that simply reducing the effectiveness of emissions-control systems outside testing conditions was insufficient to prove wrongdoing under the current legal framework.

Read the full story at the source

What you need to know to get Emirates ID?

Leave your details and get a guide as a gift to avoid mistakes

Article contents