The Volkswagen Group (“VW”) has been plunged into further crisis after admitting that it is not just diesel cars that are affected, but around 98,000 petrol cars could also be involved in the unfolding saga.
VW have admitted that these petrol cars have had their CO2 and mpg ratings wrongly certified. It has been confirmed that it is all VW Group cars - Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen – with what are described as “small engines” that are affected. Vehicles that fit the description are fitted with the 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with Cylinder On Demand (COD) technology.
VW's announcement revealed that "CO2 levels and thus the fuel consumption figures for some models were set too low during the CO2 certification process". It has seen VW infer, through their latest confessions, that a result of incorrectly declared CO2 emissions could have had a much bigger impact on consumer’s pockets. In reality CO2 emissions are deemed to have been much higher and therefore less efficient, resulting in consumers having to spend more on fuel.
Vehicle tax is related to CO2 emissions and thus raises the prospect of a tax liability as a result of cars emitting more CO2 then they thought. Consequently, the owners of such vehicles should have been taxed more heavily than they in fact were.
The unveiling of these latest revelations has seen the value of VW dropped dramatically, wiping more than €4bn off the value of the company and causing the share price to plummet.
Despite over 1.2 million cars being affected in the UK alone, estimated to cost around £1.4 bn, it has not been said whether VW will compensate owners of affected cars. VW are being urgently pressed to provide clarity on the current, chaotic situation.
Can I claim?
Asim Din is a solicitor in the dispute resolution team at Stephensons. He regularly advises consumers on their rights in respect of buying vehicles or items which have been found to be defective. If you require any advice in respect of a Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda or Seat you have purchased you should not hesitate to contact our specialist dispute resolution team on 01616 966 229.
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