A Background on Mercedes Diesel Emissions
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) found that Mercedes installed ‘defeat software’ in some diesel engines that limited emissions readings during testing, misrepresenting the actual emissions during ‘real-world’ driving. As a result, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions did not comply with EU regulatory requirements. The software, it is alleged, breached the emission levels of the EU designed to reduce pollutants in the atmosphere.
It is reported that the KBA found that some 280,000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class vehicles had been fitted with software that made them look cleaner than they were during testing, similar to what Volkswagen had done.
In 2018, Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, issued a recall of 774,000 vehicles, including diesel versions of the Mercedes C-Class, Vito and GLC models, after German authorities accused the automaker of installing the software in its line of European diesel vehicles. The most recent court ruling in Germany in June 2023 ordered Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen to compensate affected motorists.
On June 21, 2019, KBA ordered Mercedes to recall 60,000 GLK 220 model vehicles produced between 2012 and 2015. Daimler also issued a voluntary recall in 2017 of 3 million vehicles for emissions concerns. Daimler settled a government probe into selling rigged diesel cars in September 2019.
A 2019 report by Bloomberg analysed 684,000 ‘tainted vehicles’ costing $960 Million to settle ‘Rigged Diesel-car Probe.’ A further online article by Europe Autonews advised that Frankfurt prosecutors are looking to fine Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler between 800 million and 1 billion euros for diesel-related violations. A fine of up to 5,000 euros per vehicle is being considered. Autocar reported that the German transport ministry ordered Mercedes-Benz to recall 774,000 cars across Europe after tests found that they contained unauthorised software that can manipulate diesel exhaust emissions, mainly relating to the Vito, C-Class and GLC models, as is confirmed by The Times.
What Mercedes say about their diesel engines:
However, Germany’s Motor Regulator has fined Mercedes for irregular diesel emissions. We are now acting against Mercedes for compensation for misleading UK customers about their environmentally-friendly engines.
German Court Rules Drivers Are Owed Compensation
In June 2023, a federal judge in Germany ruled that manufacturers must pay compensation to motorists with a diesel vehicle that was fitted with an illegal emissions device. The case involved Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Audi vehicles and will likely affect future class actions. The ruling means eligible people will be entitled to compensation from the manufacturers. The amount of compensation could range between 5-15% of the purchase price of the vehicle.
The manufacturers argued that the defeat devices were lawful and needed to protect the motor. The judge stated that it was up to the manufacturers to prove the devices were functional and not illegal. Previously, compensation in Germany would not have been permitted unless there was proof the manufacturer acted intentionally, which is a more difficult case to prove.
Experience in Litigation Against VW & Mercedes
The ‘defeat’ software said to be installed by Mercedes-Benz Motor Company (the parent company known as Daimler-Benz) is akin to the VW Diesel Emissions Claims Scandal. VW, which owns Audi, Seat and Skoda, has paid billions worldwide for applying ‘defeat’ software to specific diesel engines to lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) in test conditions. In the UK, VW has defended claims against it for compensation for diesel emissions but has lost the first round of the Group Litigation battle in the High Court in London.
Our firm is heavily involved in one of the largest Group Litigation claims in the UK against the VW Group and has gained extensive knowledge in running class actions that are now likely to involve Mercedes cars and vans that are believed to have installed the ‘defeat’ software. Reuters confirmed that Daimler had recalled 60,000 diesel vehicles in Germany alone, mainly the Mercedes GLK 220 Model sold between 2012-2015, but a total recall of 3 million cars.
Be part of our class action against Mercedes. If you purchased a Mercedes diesel vehicle between 2009 and 2016, read on to learn more about claiming up to £10,000 or more.
Recall of Mercedes Diesel Vehicles
The KBA has ordered Mercedes to recall vehicles in Germany and Europe; approximately 670,000 vehicles are affected. The recall affects the following vehicles:
Emission Standard Euro 6b (2018)
Vito 1.6-liter diesel (OM 622), C-Class 1.6-ltr diesel (OM 626), ML/GLE/GL/GLS 3.0-ltr diesel (OM 642), V-Class 2.2-ltr diesel (OM 651) and GLC 2.2-ltr diesel (OM 651). Some other individual models are also affected by the recall.
Emissions Standard Euro 5 (2019)
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) issued an administrative order to Daimler AG in June 2019, by which the company was requested to recall specific variants of the model Mercedes-Benz GLK 220 CDI 4MATIC with Euro 5 emission standards that were approved in 2011 and produced between June 2012 and June 2015.
Emissions Standard Euro 5 (Vans)
These models include Vito and Viano and the predecessor model of the current Sprinter. The production of the affected vans ceased in June 2016. Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the Euro 5-compliant OM651 diesel engine (N1 & M1 certification) for Europe. According to the KBA, specific calibrations in the engine control software must be changed.
Testing of Mercedes Vehicles NOx Emissions
The Euro 6 Emissions Standard is the latest update since standards were introduced in 1993, which came into effect in 2015 and apply in Europe to all manufacturers who wish to sell motor vehicles within the marketplace. The Euro 6 Emissions are there to ensure the EU’s policy to curb pollution from cars and protect the quality of the air we breath and the environment. Each country will require the vehicles to undergo emission tests to ensure compliance with the Euro 6 Standard before being registered to sell.
NOx is a harmful pollutant often blamed for damaging the environment and has also been proven to have profound health implications.
The emissions test is conducted in a controlled environment. The ambient temperature, vehicle fluid levels and tyre pressures are all measured to maintain consistency between tests of different models, ensuring the test is as accurate as possible. That means all cars are tested in the same conditions, and the emissions figures recorded can be compared directly to each other when comparing vehicle specifications.
Mercedes Diesel Compensation Claims
If you feel you have been misled into purchasing a diesel vehicle (car or van) from Mercedes, why not contact us to make a claim? It will not cost you anything to find out.
After all, excessive NOx emissions from diesel engines can have serious consequences, especially for children and people with pre-existing conditions. That is why there are strict regulations to reduce NOx emissions to help safeguard people and the environment.
To make a claim and join the UK group action, contact us.
FAQ for Mercedes Diesel Emissions Compensation
Below is a list of frequently asked questions on how to claim compensation against Mercedes for diesel emissions.
1. What Mercedes vehicles are affected by the diesel emissions scandal?
1. What Mercedes vehicles are affected by the diesel emissions scandal?
2. When were these affected models sold by Mercedes?
3. How much compensation could I expect?
4. How many vehicles are affected in the UK?
5. How do I check if my Mercedes is affected?
6. Where can I find my VIN number for the vehicle?
7. How do I claim compensation for diesel emissions?
8. Do you offer a No Win, No Fee service?
9. Can I claim if I bought the vehicle on Mercedes Finance?
10. Can I claim if I bought the vehicle on lease?
11. Do I claim against the dealership where I bought the car?
12. Can I still claim if I sold the car?
13. Can I claim if I bought a used vehicle?
14. Can I claim if I bought a petrol vehicle?
15. Do I need to recall letter from Mercedes to claim?
1. What Mercedes vehicles are affected by the diesel emissions scandal?
The common feature is that the vehicles must have acquired a diesel engine fitted with ‘Adblue‘ or a ‘BlueTec‘ specification, including the following models:
- Mercedes C Class C220d
- Mercedes E-Class
- Mercedes GLC 220d
- Mercedes GLE
- Mercedes GLK
- Mercedes GLS
- V-Class
- Mercedes Vito (Vans) 1.6 111 CDI
- Citan
More cars or vans may be affected, so please contact us with your vehicle’s details if you are unsure. You must provide us with your VIN number. If you no longer have the car, you may be able to check it with the DVLA, but you must contact them directly to obtain the number.
It is understood that the ‘defeat’ software is programmed to lower the amount of the ‘Ad Blue‘ that is being injected into the diesel engines after a prescribed period, this then reduces the efficiency of the SCR filter, leading to much higher NOx emissions in the real-world environment compared with the test conditions.
2. When were these affected models sold by Mercedes?
The affected diesel models were sold between September 2009 and February 2016.
3. How much compensation could I expect?
It could be as much as 75% of the vehicle’s value. But the general assessment is that the average claim may be between £4,000 to £10,000.
4. How many vehicles are affected in the UK?
In the UK, as many as 84,000 vehicles (cars and vans) could have the ‘defeat’ software installed where compensation may be obtained.
5. How do I check if my Mercedes is affected?
All Mercedes cars and vans have a unique identifier code called a VIN. It is a 17-digit number with a three-letter code. It will look something like WDD123456789A1234. The VIN contains vital information about the vehicle, such as the date of manufacture, year of production, engine type, and model.
VIN numbers are therefore essential to check with Mercedes to establish if your vehicle has the ‘defeat’ software installed on the diesel engine. The VIN will usually be obtained in your log book or on the car by checking the windscreen, doors, floor of the driver or passenger seat, and steering column.
Please provide your VIN number to us if you are unsure how to check if your vehicle is affected, and we shall do the checks for you.
6. Where can I find my VIN number for the vehicle?
The VIN number will usually be obtained in your log book or on the vehicle itself by checking the windscreen, doors, floor of the driver or passenger seat, and steering column.
7. How do I claim compensation for diesel emissions?
Contact us via our website. You must provide us with your VIN number before we can proceed with your case. You will be asked, in due course, to give all of the purchase and sale paperwork (if applicable), including copies of the logbook (V5C) and finance details.
8. Do you offer a No Win, No Fee service?
Yes, all the work will be undertaken under a NO WIN, NO FEE, NO WORRY agreement, so you have nothing to lose by registering your claim through us.
9. Can I claim if I bought the vehicle on Mercedes Finance?
Yes, if you bought it through Mercedes Finance, bank loan or cash.
10. Can I claim if I bought the vehicle on a lease?
Yes, it is still possible to claim if you leased the vehicle through a personal or business contract hire.
11. Do I claim against the dealership where I bought the car?
With the VW Group litigation, proceedings had to be taken against the dealership, the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s finance arm if a loan/lease was taken out through its associated company.
12. Can I still claim if I sold the car?
Yes, you can still claim but must have proof of purchase and sale. If you no longer have any documentation, you may need to contact the dealership where you purchased the vehicle or contact the DVLA, who should have a record of the car and the history of owners/keepers of the vehicle.
13. Can I claim if I bought a used vehicle?
Yes, you can still claim if you bought the vehicle used or secondhand. But as in question 12 above, you must have all the necessary paperwork of purchase.
14. Can I claim if I bought a petrol vehicle?
Not only diesel vehicles are affected where compensation can be claimed.
15. Do I need to recall letter from Mercedes to claim?
No, providing that you have checked your vehicle with Mercedes to ensure your VIN number is affected.