High Court Rejects Most Dieselgate Claims Against Car Manufacturers

A UK high court has rejected the majority of allegations in a "dieselgate" claim brought by 1.6 million car owners but found some Mercedes and Peugeot-Citroën technologies could constitute defeat devices.

• The High Court rejected most allegations in a group action against five car manufacturers, but ruled that certain Mercedes and Peugeot-Citroën strategies may be prohibited defeat devices.
• Lady Justice Cockerill said proving intention to rig a test was necessary, and not every calibration or emissions-control strategy amounts to a defeat device.
• Claimants' lawyers said they were considering an appeal, arguing the judgment diverges from established EU case law on defeat devices.
• Mercedes-Benz said the court ruled "very largely in favour" of the manufacturer but was considering an appeal over the vehicle found non-compliant; Stellantis said it was also considering an appeal.