MPs call on government to investigate VW following ‘dieselgate’

The UK government should consider investigating and prosecuting Volkswagen (VW) for the ‘dieselgate’ scandal that saw the manufacturer cheat emissions tests.

Following the revelation that VW had been using a ‘defeat device’ to trick emissions tests for a large number of its diesel engines, the Transport Select Committee has criticised the UK government for being ’too slow to act’.

In the fallout of the scandal, VW has agreed to offer significant compensation to vehicle owners in the US, but no such deal has been agreed for owners of affected cars across Europe.

The Committee has described this as ‘deeply unfair’ and accused the Department for Transport (DfT) of trying to ‘pass the buck’ to the European Commission. The Committee makes clear that it believes that the responsibility for prosecution lies with national governments and has called on the DfT to ensure UK customers are not out of pocket.

Louise Ellman, chair of the Transport Select Committee, said: “Volkswagen Group has acted cynically to cheat emissions tests which exist solely to protect human health. Volkswagen's evidence to us was just not credible but the government has lacked the will to hold VW accountable for its actions. There is a real danger that VW will be able to get away with cheating emissions tests in Europe if regulators do not act.

“Vehicle owners have been refused goodwill payments. That is despite VW inflicting a great deal of uncertainty on its own customers along with the prospect of declining residual values and the inconvenience of having to undergo repairs.

“We are concerned that VW's fix was developed at the lowest possible cost which might lead to increased costs for motorists down the line. We have called upon the Vehicle Certification Agency to do everything in its power to ensure that does not happen."

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