Defeat devices and the potential impact on vehicle performance

You could be entitled to claim compensation and factor in any potential impact on vehicle performance that the deployment or removal of software technology that amounts to a defeat device could have.

This is one of the key considerations that is a part of the legal action that is being taken against dozens of vehicle manufacturers over allegations that some may have engaged in practices that could cheat emissions regulations. On an engineering level, there are reasons as to how defeat devices could adversely impact the performance of a vehicle, so this is a real issue that is being taken seriously.

If you have yet to start your No Win, No Fee emissions claim for compensation, you can do so by completing a few forms on our website here now.

What is the potential impact on vehicle performance relating to a defeat device?

There is evidence that the removal of any software or technology that could amount to a defeat device could have an adverse impact on vehicle performance. If such action does have an adverse impact on vehicle performance, this is a significant issue given that the consumer may now have essentially lost out.

The reason that there could be an impact is because the whole reason why it is believed that some vehicle manufacturers may have engaged in practices to cheat emissions regulations is because adhering to them may have meant producing less attractive vehicles. To keep emissions down, engines need to work differently and, sometimes, they need to work in a condition that can be inefficient for economy, performance and power. For example, more emissions can be emitted when vehicles accelerate more quicker. It is understood that when VW engaged in the behaviour that they did, it was apparently about their engineers being unable to find what was deemed as an acceptable solution to comply with emissions regulations without affecting vehicle performance. In the end, they simply deployed the technology that they did, which has since been confirmed as amounting to a defeat device.

Ultimately, if corrective action is taken, owners may find that the vehicle is not as quick, may not be as efficient in terms of fuel economy, and may not have the same feel it did when it was purchased. Whilst different vehicles could be affected in different ways, and we are all talking about potentials here, this is an important factor to consider in the legal action we are taking.

What can you do if your vehicle performance has been affected?

If there has been an adverse impact on vehicle performance directly related to the deployment or the removal of technology or software that amounts to a defeat device, the consumer affected could be entitled to pursue compensation.

Given that residual values could be affected, this could be factored into a claim, and we may be able to look at the overall loss of enjoyment of the vehicle if this has been affected. What we want to do is see how we can achieve some form of sensible and fair compensation to reflect the fact that what you bought may now not be what you have ended up with.

Join the emissions action for compensation now

If you own or lease, or previously owned or leased, an affected diesel model over the last decade or so, you could be entitled to pursue an emissions compensation claim and join one of our legal actions now.

We are pursuing dozens of carmakers on behalf of thousands of people whose vehicles may contain software or technology that could amount to a so-called defeat device. Earlier this year, Volkswagen settled claims for tens of thousands of drivers, and other manufacturers may follow suit. For eligible claimants, we may be able to offer No Win, No Fee legal representation.

It is quick and easy to get started – just complete a few forms on the main part of our website here now.