Drivers of Vauxhall diesel vehicles in the United Kingdom may be entitled to join legal action against the British carmaker for allegations related to the use of defeat devices to cheat on emissions tests. Reports from early 2021 indicate that Vauxhall allegedly installed the devices on around 600,000 of their diesel vehicles.
The case involves vehicles that were leased or purchased between the years 2009 and 2019. Vauxhall’s Zafira, Corsa, and Astra vehicles are some of the models that were fitted with the defeat devices. The carmaker mis-sold the cars to customers who were looking for premium quality and environment-friendly vehicles.
Any vehicle fitted with a defeat device violates emissions regulations, endangers the environment and has adverse impacts on human health. Such vehicles hide real emissions, so when they’re driven on real roads, they release more toxic emissions than registered in regulatory tests.
Vauxhall released a statement that said the company did not know that there were claims against them. They also had allegations of defeat device use but confidently said that their cars adhere to emissions regulations.
The legal action against Vauxhall will have evidence collected from academic studies and regulators throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. Lawyers will also take good advantage of forensic analysis.
Lawyers are working on a claim about Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The campaign is for customers who received misleading information about a product they purchased. If the case is successful, the customer will receive compensation worth between 25 and 75% of the product’s total value or cost.
What do defeat devices do?
A defeat device makes vehicles appear safe and clean during testing so they could pass emissions standards.
A defeat device senses when a vehicle is about to be tested and it automatically reduces emissions to levels within the limit set by the World Health Organization. To regulators, the vehicle appears emissions-compliant. However, this is true only during testing conditions.
Once the vehicle is taken out and driven on real roads, it emits unlawful and dangerous amounts of nitrogen oxides or NOx, a highly reactive gas that has negative impacts on the environment and human health.
NOx has nitrogen dioxide or NO2 and nitric oxide or NO, two gases that can cause life-changing impacts.
Nitrogen oxide reacts easily when mixed with other elements. It forms acid rain and smog. It also produces ground-level ozone, a pollutant that causes vegetation to weaken.
NOx emissions can also affect your mental health and trigger episodes of anxiety and depression. Your cognitive abilities may be affected as well so you’ll become more susceptible to dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
You’ll be hounded by numerous health impacts once you’re regularly exposed to NOx emissions. Asthma, breathing difficulties, pulmonary oedema, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis are the most common health conditions you can develop after NOx emissions exposures.
There are serious health impacts that include asphyxiation and laryngospasm, chronic lung function reduction, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The most devastating impact of NOx is premature death, something that has been happening to thousands of people in recent years.
These negative impacts are the reasons why defeat devices are illegal, dangerous, and life-changing.
Defeat devices and NOx emissions have been in the news for years because of the Dieselgate scandal that involved the Volkswagen Group.
What happened during the diesel emissions scandal?
Around eight years ago, US authorities sent a Notice of Violation to the Volkswagen Group as their diesel vehicles allegedly used defeat devices to manipulate emissions tests. The devices were installed in Audi and Volkswagen vehicles that were sold to American consumers.
Authorities ordered VW to recall all affected vehicles so their engines can be corrected according to standard regulations. Volkswagen also had to pay fines, fees, and compensation, something that they continue to do today.
Aside from Volkswagen, other manufacturers have also been implicated in the scandal. The list includes globally popular brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Renault, and BMW.
As stated earlier, Vauxhall has also been accused of using defeat devices. Lawyers and campaigners have even urged affected car owners to verify if they are eligible to file a claim. Several law firms have already started a Vauxhall emissions claim, with the majority of drivers joining a GLO or group litigation order similar.
Authorities believe that carmakers embroiled in the diesel emissions fiasco should be held responsible for their illegal actions. This is why a diesel claim is necessary.
What is my diesel claim all about?
A diesel claim is legal action that you can bring against your carmaker if your vehicle has been affected by the defeat device scandal.
When you bring your carmaker to court, you are taking a stand against their deceitful actions that have caused global repercussions: increase in air pollution/NOx levels, exposure to NOx emissions, compromised vehicle quality, and mis-selling. If your case is successful, you will be compensated, the amount of which will depend on the circumstances of your case.
However, before you can file your diesel claim, you must first visit ClaimExperts.co.uk first so they can provide you with all the information you need to verify your eligibility to file a claim. Once you’ve done this, you can start your claim with the aid of an emissions expert.
