The diesel scandal: the legitimacy of the collective action against Volkswagen and how to participate in the next trial

Ah, Volkswagen and diesel... If this name doesn’t make you roll your eyes at the beginning of 2025, it’s because either you’ve been living in a cave or you’ve bought an electric SUV while praying that Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or even Peugeot wouldn’t remind you that, yes, the scandal is still there, creeping like a weed. Eight years since the Dieselgate saga has poisoned the lives of motorists and fueled legal discussions. And finally, here in France – not the home of responsiveness, it must be said – justice is opening the door to a class action against the German giant Volkswagen and its merry band: Audi, Skoda, Seat, not to mention Porsche, which, in the meantime, continues to act like the wealthy heirs they are. Finally, a glimmer of hope for the hundreds of thousands of cheated owners, who might now consider that their (non-)compensation might take shape in a courtroom.

The collective action against Volkswagen: a kick in the judicial anthill

For those who have followed the saga – yes, it feels a bit like the "Dallas" of mechanics – let’s remember that since 2016 the CLCV, the French association dear to consumers, has been raising the alarm against Volkswagen. On Thursday, March 27th, the Soissons court finally deemed this collective action admissible. After nine years of struggle, it’s not a triumph, but a first hammer blow to the thick skin of the executives at the German giant. A total of 11 million vehicles worldwide, under different brands of the group, are under scrutiny. Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Porsche – they’re all there – accused of having rigged diesel engines with software capable of ignoring environmental regulations. What’s the result? Some engines emitted up to 40 times more polluting particles than the standard. A low blow to the planet, but also to the pockets of motorists, deprived of fair compensation.

Internationally, over 30 billion euros have already been paid in compensation, mainly in the United States where they don’t joke around with justice. In France, up until now, nothing, except growing annoyance, like “are you kidding me?”. This recognition is a small French triumph, even though, be careful, it’s just the entryway. The real fight is, at its core, over the recognition of the group’s responsibility.

Years of proceedings for an Audi, a Seat, or a Skoda in the garage

If the road to victory is still long, the court did not yield to Volkswagen's arguments, which claimed that the case was statute-barred or that only certain companies in the group were affected. In plain terms: Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and Seat are all in the same boat, in Villers-Cotterêts as elsewhere. This decision thus paves the way for potential compensation for thousands of French owners, but not before a judicial marathon that could take several years.

Jean-Yves Mano, president of the CLCV, therefore recommends that victims not rush: no miracle registration or frantic steps. It will be up to the brands themselves to identify and contact their customers for compensation, once the judge has ruled on the merits and set the amounts. You can cross your fingers, but like any good trial, expect patience to be essential.

Volkswagen and its allies negotiate or announce the appeal

On the manufacturer's side, it's the same old song: a lamentable act played to perfection. Volkswagen France insists that it’s "an isolated and non-definitive decision," and that the group "reserves the right to appeal." Moreover, they adamantly assert that French consumers have not suffered any damage and that they intend to demonstrate this before the court. If you thought that Porsche, Seat, Skoda, or Audi were going to collapse in this legal saga, think again. They are revving up the defense machine, more robust than a 90s diesel engine.

Furthermore, this defense surprises no one. For nine years, French courts have regularly dismissed legal initiatives, but today something has changed. Public opinion is heating up, owners are starting to get impatient, and suddenly a judicial outcome could change the game for all those who feel cheated by Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, but also Mercedes-Benz or BMW, who closely or distantly observe this saga with a sort of mocking satisfaction.

How to participate in the next trial and not sit on the sidelines

So, if you are one of those fortunate (?) owners — let’s say nearly 800,000 people affected in France — what to do now? Simple: patience and vigilance. Don’t rush to the first tempting announcement, especially those that would have you pay to file a complaint. The CLCV strongly advises waiting for official communications from the brands. In fact, it will be the judge who will also determine the penalties to apply and the amount of compensation. We are not in a contest of circumstances; we are in a judicial tug of war. So calmly await your invitation to join this collective action without rushing or unnecessary stress.

And while it’s tempting to grumble about all this mess, let’s not forget that this saga of rigged diesels continues to infuriate even in 2025, proving that in the automotive world, whether it’s Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, or even our dear French brands Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, the engine of "honesty" is still to be invented.

For those who want to dig deeper, this scandal has left deep scars in the world of diesel engines, as seen with other German or French brands. So, amid the galloping electrification proposed by Stellantis or the endless debates about “should one still opt for diesel in 2025?”, the debate remains as heated as the tricky exhaust gases that Volkswagen had fun masking. It remains to be seen whether this collective action will finally transform this farce into concrete compensations.

Source: www.capital.fr

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