Thousands of cars could be recalled in new 'dieselgate' emissions scandal: 47 different models from 11 manufacturers are suspected of being more polluting than official readings

By TOM COTTERILL

Updated:

Thousands of cars could be recalled in a new 'dieselgate' emissions scandal which could impact Brits nationwide. 

As part of a Department for Transport (DfT) probe, a total of 47 different models from 11 manufacturers are suspected of being more polluting than previously thought.

It's understood some 20 motoring brands have been impacted, with the exact models affected so far being kept secret, reports The Times. 

The news comes nine years after the Volkswagen 'dieselgate' scandal in which the German car maker installed 'cheat devices' into diesel models to trick official tests into recording lower emissions levels.  

Environmental law group ClientEarth last year entered a legal complaint to ministers to find out how many cars by other manufacturers might have the devices in the UK, with between two and six million cars now feared to have the 'defeat device' fitted. 

The DfT has now started the first phase of the investigation into the car brands in response to a freedom of information request by ClientEarth. 

Thousands of cars could be recalled in a new 'dieselgate' emissions scandal that could impact Brits nationwide. (stock image)

Thousands of cars could be recalled in a new 'dieselgate' emissions scandal that could impact Brits nationwide. (stock image)

It comes amid fears the vehicles were causing increased levels of air pollution across the UK (file image)

It comes amid fears the vehicles were causing increased levels of air pollution across the UK (file image) 

The department will now look into the number of 'prohibited defeat devices' in diesel cars registered between September 2009 and 2019.

And while the opening phase of the probe is confined to 47 model, research has suggested there could be at least 200 compromised car models still being used on UK roads. 

What is Dieselgate?

The Volkswagen emissions scandal, known as Dieselgate, began in 2015 and involved around 11million cars worldwide and 1.2million the UK.

The UK class action surrounds the fact that drivers paid a premium price for what they thought were clean diesel cars.

In fact emissions of NOx gases – a combination of the pollutants nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide – were far higher than the company stated.

NOx gas emissions are associated with, among other things, childhood asthma and are linked to 23,000 premature deaths every year in the UK.

Lawyers representing around 90,000 UK motorists claim the German car giant 'cheated' European emissions standards by installing unlawful 'defeat devices' in its diesel vehicles.

It is claimed the devices were able to detect when vehicles were being tested, allowing the engine to reduce NOx emissions under test conditions.

Though the vehicles passed European emissions standards, lawyers say the vehicles were emitting up to 40 times the legal limit of nitrogen dioxide when out on the road.

The aftermath of the scandal has seen VW pay out more than 30 billion euros (£26billion) in fines, recall costs and civil settlements.

It has also led to criminal charges by German prosecutors against current and former senior employees.

Should the probe trigger a series of mass recalls, car manufacturers would be left footing the bill, potentially leading to job losses within the industry - while drivers would also be expected to receive compensation. 

In 2022, Volkswagen agreed to pay £193million to more than 90,000 UK drivers after the 2015 scandal. 

According to reports, transport chiefs are now scrambling to try and work out how much extra air pollution has been caused as a result of the additional 'cheat devices' being used. 

A defeat device is a type of hardware or software design that interferes with a vehicle's emissions controls in real-world driving conditions. 

A spokesperson for the DfT said: 'Defeat devices are illegal, misleading for drivers and can have negative health impacts on the public. 

'We routinely and robustly check vehicles against emission standards and have acted quickly to set up an investigation on this matter. We will work with industry to resolve any issues identified.'

The spokesperson added cars will be considered to have a such a device if any 'element of design' reduces 'the effectiveness of the emission control system under conditions which may reasonably expected to be encountered in normal vehicle operation and use'.

Air pollution is estimated to kill up to 38,000 people a year in England. 

Lawyer Emily Kearsey, who works with ClientEarth, said air pollution was the 'biggest threat to public health in the UK' and that excess vehicle emissions were contributing to the crisis. 

She warned the 'invisible killer' can shorten people's lives while also ruining their quality of life. Reports from the DfT revealed that non-compliant vehicles will 'require remedial action' and 'all non-compliance will be addressed'.

The 'dieselgate' scandal was first uncovered in 2015 when it emerged that Volkswagen had installed software designed to deceive official testing (stock image)

The 'dieselgate' scandal was first uncovered in 2015 when it emerged that Volkswagen had installed software designed to deceive official testing (stock image)

In 2022, Volkswagen agreed to pay £193 million to more than 90,000 UK drivers after the 2015 scandal (pictured is a file image of someone filling up a car with diesel)

In 2022, Volkswagen agreed to pay £193 million to more than 90,000 UK drivers after the 2015 scandal (pictured is a file image of someone filling up a car with diesel) 

ClientEarth has now urged Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to act with urgency and 'not to bow to car makers' interests'. 

It comes as motor trade chiefs admitted they were weighing up what action to take following the latest Dieselgate allegations. 

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders,  said: 'We are aware of a decision made by the European Court of Justice that brought into question the existing certification of vehicles approved for sale by governments across Europe over a number of years and are working with the department to understand what, if any, implications there may be for the UK.' 

Currently the Government is unable to trigger a nationwide recall on vehicles, despite the 2021 Environment Act being introduced to create such laws. 

According to the Money Savings Expert, drivers can be eligible for compensation if they bought the motor without knowing about the alleged emissions flaws.

Drivers can also be eligible if they had a car or van fixed to comply with emissions standards and the fix itself led to 'worse fuel efficiency or worse performance' potentially lowering its value or creating added costs.

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