Owners of BMW diesel vehicles in the UK may receive compensation from the carmaker for the diesel emissions scandal that first broke in 2015. Each drive could get around £12,000 should the courts work in their favour. The claims are specifically for BMW diesel vehicles that were manufactured between the years 2007 and 2018.

Since news about BMW’s involvement in the Dieselgate scandal first surfaced, lawyers have been all over England and Wales trying to get affected drivers to join a group claim. Filing a diesel claim is the best legal action against carmakers who lied to and misled customers into believing they were buying high-performing, environmentally safe vehicles.

This takes the story back to 2015 when the Volkswagen Group received a Notice of Violation after authorities said they discovered the carmaker used defeat devices. These devices are used to cheat emissions tests and were allegedly installed in VW and Audi diesel vehicles sold in the US. As a result, thousands of affected cars and vans had to be recalled and Volkswagen had to spend millions on fines.

Other carmakers, including world-renowned brands Mercedes-Benz and Renault, followed VW’s footsteps, and have had to go through the same process the German manufacturer did. According to authorities, these carmakers allegedly violated emissions regulations because they wanted to easily pass regulations tests. This is one of the reasons why law firms are intent on encouraging the affected drivers to file an emission claim.

Another reason diesel claims are necessary is the impact of toxic emissions on drivers and the public. Diesel vehicles emit nitrogen oxide or NOx, a group of gases known to contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and acid rain. It’s also responsible for serious health impacts, such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In recent years, reports have also consistently linked air pollution (specifically NOx emissions) to the increasing number of premature deaths every year.

Being exposed to NOx emissions also affects a person’s mental well-being. Other health impacts include COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pulmonary oedema, and laryngospasm.

BMW’s Emissions Scandal

The Bavarian carmaker first got publicly involved in the diesel emissions scandal in 2018, when a class-action lawsuit was filed in the US after authorities allegedly found defeat devices in thousands of BMW M550ds and BMW 750ds. This happened after the authorities raided BMW’s offices and facilities to find evidence linked to the scandal.

According to authorities, BMW allegedly worked with Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch LLC to manipulate the emissions of their SUVs and 4-door sedans. The vehicles had emissions that were more than the legal standard by around 27 times. Allegedly, BMWs that were manufactured between 2009 and 2013 (for X5 models) and 2009 and 2011 (for 330ds) were found to be unsuitable for US roads.

What Do Defeat Devices Do?

Defeat devices are illegal because they hide real emissions. They can sense when a vehicle is brought into the lab for testing; they immediately lower emissions to within the WHO’s legal limits. As such, the vehicles being evaluated may appear clean to car owners, but they are high-polluting and non-emissions-compliant.

Outside the lab and when driven on real-life roads, the vehicle emits excessive amounts of NOx; unlawful levels that expose drivers to danger.

Why File For Compensation?

There are several reasons why affected carmakers are advised to file a diesel claim and bring their carmakers to court. Receiving compensation (if the case is successful) is every driver’s right because:

• Their carmaker lied to and mis-sold the vehicle to them
• Their vehicle’s performance was significantly affected by the defeat device
• Their carmaker exposed them to high levels of toxic air pollution (NOx)
• Their carmaker violated emissions policies

Compensation is often based on the circumstances or severity of the diesel claim case. It is typically decided after the court has finished hearing the case.

Am I Qualified To File My Diesel Claim?

Not all diesel vehicles are equipped with defeat devices, so it is advisable to first determine if you are eligible to file a diesel claim and receive compensation. Just visit ClaimExperts.co.uk and you will find a trove of information that can help determine your eligibility. Additionally, you’ll also find other details that you can use to ensure that your emission claim is on the right track.

The best thing to do would be to hire an emissions expert who can help you understand the legal process. One of the things you’ll need to decide on is whether your claim will be filed as an individual case or if joining a group legal action against your carmaker. A group claim will increase your chances of getting compensated.