Volkswagen ordered to reimburse motorists affected by ‘dieselgate’ scandal

Volkswagen ordered to reimburse motorists affected by 'dieselgate' scandal

Volkswagen must reimburse motorists who bought vehicles fitted with “defeat devices” designed to cheat emissions tests, Germany’s highest civil court has ruled.

The Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe yesterday handed down its ruling in a test case brought by Herbert Gilbert, who bought a second-hand minivan fitted with the defeat devices.

In a ruling which will pave the way for 60,000 other plaintiffs to obtain compensation, the court ordered Volkswagen to take back Mr Gilbert’s vehicle and pay him a sum of €28,257.74.

The carmaker has already paid out more than €30 billion in fines, compensation and buyback schemes linked to the “dieselgate” scandal since 2015.

A spokesperson for Volkswagen said: “The ruling of the German Federal Court of Justice will bring closure for the diesel proceedings in Germany.

“Volkswagen is now seeking to bring these proceedings to a prompt conclusion in agreement with the plaintiffs. We will therefore approach the plaintiffs with the adequate settlement proposals.”

Share icon
Share this article: