The Dieselgate scandal exposed how some car manufacturers used defeat devices to cheat emissions tests, leading to major legal claims worldwide. But diesel cars may not have been the only ones affected. Lawyers believe there is evidence that some petrol vehicles were also fitted with illegal emissions manipulation software, causing them to produce far higher levels of pollutants than advertised. 

If these allegations are proven, hundreds of thousands of UK petrol car owners could be eligible for compensation – just like diesel vehicle claimants.

Why are petrol vehicles now under scrutiny? 

For years, emissions claims have focused almost exclusively on diesel vehicles. However, recent legal actions suggest that some petrol models may have also been designed to cheat emissions tests. 

A major example is the Nissan Qashqai. Lawyers argue certain 1.2-litre petrol Qashqai models were fitted with software or mechanical features that allowed them to pass laboratory tests but emit far higher levels of pollutants in real-world driving conditions – potentially up to 15 times higher than the legal limit. The car manufacturer denies the allegations.  

While the full scale of the issue is still being investigated, this could mean that millions of petrol car owners worldwide may have unknowingly driven vehicles that produce far more harmful emissions than legally permitted. 

Can petrol car owners claim emissions compensation?

If your petrol vehicle was fitted with emissions manipulation software, you may have: 

• Overpaid for your vehicle – believing it was environmentally friendly when, in reality, it was not. 

• Experienced performance issues – if any software updates were applied to fix emissions, they may have affected fuel efficiency or power. 

• Contributed to higher pollution levels – unknowingly driving a car that produces illegal levels of emissions. 

• Potentially lost resale value – vehicles involved in emissions scandals tend to lose value faster than others. 

Just as diesel vehicle owners have won millions in compensation worldwide, affected petrol car owners may also have the right to claim. 

Is my petrol car affected by an emissions claim? 

Legal claims for petrol emissions are still in the early stages, but investigations are ongoing. If legal action moves forward, a group claim could be launched in the UK, similar to previous emissions cases. 

If you own or have owned a petrol vehicle and want to stay informed about a potential claim, now is the time to register your interest.