Drivers ‘mis-sold’ diesel cars could be owed payouts but deadline’s next week

Millions of drivers could be due payouts for mis-sold cars – but the deadline is ending soon. The controversy, which became known as ‘Dieselgate’ in the mid-noughties, began with a small group but has since grown to include other vehicle manufacturers, including many found on British roads.

The group legal claims allege carmakers used illegal ‘defeat devices’ in their diesel vehicles to cheat the tests done by regulators to check their emissions levels, before approving vehicles for sale. Law firms argue that affected cars and vans produce more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution than advertised.

The High Court has set formal cut-off dates for new claimants coming forward in many of the diesel emission cases – with Ford and BMW coming up first on Thursday 23 May and Sunday 2 June respectively, MoneySavingExpert has warned.

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Three law firms, Bingham Long, Johnson Law Group, and Pogust Goodhead are closing their claim signups against the following manufacturers on t dates which are imminent. Bingham Long says its Ford sign-up deadline is Thursday, May 9 and BMW sign-up deadline isFriday, May 17.

Johnson Law Group has warned its Ford sign-up deadline isFriday, May 10 and BMW sign-up deadline is Thursday, May 23. Pogust Goodhead has warned its Ford sign-up deadline is Thursday, May 9 and BMW sign-up deadline is soon to come too, taking place on Friday, May 17.

BMW Group, owner of the BMW and Mini brands, has issued a statement and told MSE: “BMW Group vehicles always comply with the necessary legal requirements and so the company categorically rejects any accusation that diesel emissions from their vehicles are manipulated in any way.”

Ford told MSE: “As we said back in 2016, we did not and do not have what are commonly known as ‘illegal defeat devices’ in our vehicles, and our advanced diesel engines meet all applicable emissions requirements.”