High Court ruling allows 'Dieselgate' claims against Mercedes-Benz in the UK

The High Court has ruled against Mercedes-Benz in the ongoing 'dieselgate' legal action, reports AM sister title Fleet News

The court has rejected the manufacturer's argument that a decision of the German regulator Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) should prevent claims in the UK.

Mercedes-Benz had argued that KBA’s ruling, which addressed whether its cars contained illegal defeat devices, should apply in England and Wales, effectively shielding the company from litigation there.

This decision now allows consumers to pursue claims in the UK against Mercedes-Benz over the alleged use of defeat devices—technology designed to cheat emissions tests.

Law firms Pogust Goodhead and Leigh Day, representing claimants, argued that allowing the KBA decision to apply in the UK would deny British consumers their right to challenge Mercedes-Benz in domestic courts.

Pogust Goodhead's Tom Goodhead hailed the ruling as a “huge victory for British consumers,” while Peter Gallagher, who led the firm's case, noted that it "significantly undermines" Mercedes-Benz's efforts to sidestep responsibility in the diesel emissions scandal.

Mercedes-Benz UK, however, maintains its stance, with a spokesperson stating that the company believes the claims are “without merit” and intends to defend itself against the allegations.

The Department for Transport (DfT) told Fleet News that it is investigating 47 models from 11 manufacturers for potential defeat device usage, with a spokesperson confirming the department’s commitment to robust vehicle emissions testing.

In 2018, the UK government passed legislation making it illegal to market vehicles with prohibited emissions technologies, citing both health risks and consumer deception.

The full trial is scheduled for 2025, where further evidence will be presented regarding the alleged emissions manipulation practices.