Author: numan
Is this real and why is it possible to make a claim?
Yes, it is real and Versus Law are investigating a potential group claim against Mercedes-Benz and it’s parent company Daimler. The claim stems from an alleged ‘cheat device’ fitted to certain vehicles. The purpose of the alleged cheat device was to reduce emissions artificially so that the vehicles would pass EU emissions tests. We believe that software of this kind and in particular a large corporate organisation behaving in this way is against UK law. As such, we are planning on bringing a legal claim for compensation on behalf of consumers who own or owned affected vehicles.
C Savage
We were selling our house (through Nick) and buying a house (through Natalie) and I can honestly say these are the best solicitors we’ve ever used (we had always used ones in London previously). They both kept us informed on a regular basis as to how things were progressing which I really valued and they were quick to respond to any queries I asked. They were professional, efficient, helpful and really nice to deal with. We were recommended Versus through local friends that have used them previously and I would definitely recommend Versus to anyone else asking me for a recommendation.
Thanks again Natalie and Nick.
J Percy
We used Nicola Nolan for our purchase/transfer of ownership. She was excellent from start to finish. We were fully informed of the process throughout and she was always friendly, approachable and very professional at all times. Would definitely recommend her at Versus Law. Thank you again
J Guntren
Amazing law firm for conveyancing!! My wife and I made an offer on a house 24th September and we were moved in by 20th December. It should also be noted that we were selling my wife’s apartment at the same time (also using Versus), further complicating everything. Thanks to Natalie, everything was done in a very efficient manner and she was very understanding of our situation.
Nazreen
Which models are affected?
The following Mercedes models are all affected:
C-Class
E-Class
G-Class
M-Class
S-Class
V-Class
GLE
GLE 166 series
GLC
GLK
GLS
CITAN
CLS
SLK
Sprinter
Vito
How much is my claim worth?
Our aim is to win as much compensation for you as possible upto the value of the vehicle. Based on similar cases in the USA and in Germany the compensation could be upto £10,000.
Why should I claim?
Mercedes have been misleading their customers for years about the emissions their vehicles produce and their customers have been affected for the following:
- Their cars were not as environmentally friendly as Mercedes had stated
- They may have made more for fuel bills and maintenance costs
- The performance of the vehicles would not have been as stated
- The resale value of the affected vehicles will be reduced
Why are people claiming against Mercedes?
Just like the Volkswagen scandal Mercedes are accused of fitting a cheat device to a wide range of their cars between 2007 and 2018. If you have ever owned or leased an affected vehicle you may be eligible for compensation upto £10000.
Mercedes agrees 1.5 billion dollar settlement in US
Mercedes parent company Daimler AG has agreed a 1.5 billion USD settlement with US authorities over the emissions scandal. The 1.5 billion dollar settlement comprises 875,000,000 USD in civil penalties, some 70,300,000 USD in other penalties, 100,000,000 USD for ‘mitigation projects’ in California and 436,000,000 USD to pay for the recall programme and mitigation projects across other states.
The settlement follows civil claims filed in the District of Columbia by the US and California Air Resources Board which reports that from 2009 to 2016 Daimler manufactured, imported, and sold more than 250,000 diesel Sprinter vans and passenger cars with defeat devices programmed into the vehicles’ emissions control software.
The United States Department of Justice has announced that Daimler will have to set up a recall and repair program to remove all defeat devices from the affected vehicles at no cost to consumers and bring the vehicles into compliance with applicable emissions standards under the US Clean Air Act.
Affected Mercedes vehicles will be given a software update and replacement of select hardware. Furthermore, Daimler must repair at least 85% of the affected passenger cars within two years and at least 85% of the affected vans within three years. The company has been ordered to offer an extended warranty covering all updated software and hardware, and it must test repaired vehicles each year for the next five years to ensure that the vehicles continue to meet emissions standards over time. Hard-hitting penalties will be given to Daimler if any category of updated vehicles fails to meet applicable emissions standards or if it fails to adhere to the 85% recall rate for passenger cars or vans.
This settlement in the US brings a sense of confidence to Versus Law Solicitors who have started to build a claim and are inviting thousands of Mercedes-Benz vehicle owners in the United Kingdom to get involved and/or register their interest now to join the action. The decision and recent pay outs to owners in the US should leave potential claimants and Mercedes-Benz owners more assured than ever that the courts will rule in their favour.
The issues in the Mercedes-Benz case are similar to the issues raised in the ongoing Volkswagen litigation which has seen HHJ Waksman, alumni of both Manchester and Oxford Universities, in the High Court, in accordance with UK and EU law, determine that the software code hidden deep within the affected vehicles amount to an unlawful ‘defeat device’. This decision along with the decision in the Court of Appeal’s refusal to allow Volkswagen permission to appeal is a clear indication that the court is overwhelmingly likely to rule in their favour. In refusing Volkswagen’s permission to appeal, the experienced judge described their arguments as ‘completely irrelevant, hopeless and highly flawed’, demonstrating that Volkswagens defence is not robust enough for the High Court.
The news is encouraging for claimants who have and are looking to join the group litigation with Versus Law against Mercedes-Benz. The settlement brings optimism to all affected owners. Versus Law now looks forward to achieving a good result for Mercedes drivers who have joined our group claim in the UK. However, there is still time for other Mercedes drivers who believe their cars may have been similarly affected, to join the claim.