Handing down judgment in Various claimants v Mercedes-Benz Group AG and others [2026] EWHC 2107 (KB) last week, Mr Justice Constable considered the latest challenge in the long-running battle by car owners for compensation. The core dispute stems from alleged attempts to cheat nitrogen oxide emissions tests.
Last month, the court held only three out of 20 vehicles examined contained devices that broke the rules—one Mercedes and two Peugeot and Citroen. Consequently, the car owners wish to appeal and had applied to the court to postpone the quantum trial scheduled for October. Mercedes, alone, argued for the trial to proceed.
Constable J, agreeing with Mercedes, said: ‘There remains a real prospect that determination of the quantum issues will materially advance the litigation and narrow, if not resolve, future disputes.’
He noted ‘substantial time, effort and resources have already been invested in preparing for trial’.
