Diesel Emissions Claims: How Much Compensation Can You Realistically Expect?
- The Claims Guide
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 20
If you own a diesel vehicle from VW, Mercedes, BMW, Ford, or other manufacturers under investigation for emissions cheating, you’ve probably seen ads or articles claiming you could get 25% to 75% of your car’s value in compensation.
But is that realistic?
In this article, we’ll break down:
What the actual VW payout was
Where the 25–75% claim comes from
Why this blog takes a more realistic, evidence-based approach
How much you should reasonably expect
What Was the VW Diesel Emissions Payout in the UK?
In May 2022, Volkswagen agreed to a £193 million settlement with around 91,000 UK claimants. That works out to an average payout of just over £2,100 per vehicle. Source: The Guardian
Important: VW’s payout covered a wide range of vehicles, including cars that were purchased second-hand. Despite all the headlines, the average was nowhere near 75% of car value.
Where Did the “25% to 75%” Estimate Come From?
Multiple claims websites and law firms have advertised that diesel emissions claims could be worth 25% to 75% of the vehicle’s value.
For example:
ClaimExperts.co.uk: “Each claim could be worth between 25% and 75% of the vehicle’s value.”
Claim.co.uk: “Compensation may range from 25% to 75% of your vehicle's value.”
Even top-tier legal firms like Leigh Day, which represented VW claimants, have mentioned "up to 75%" in specific legal contexts:
“In some cases, claimants could receive compensation worth up to 75% of the purchase price.” Leigh Day Statement
Why the 25–75% Range Is Too Optimistic
While 25%–75% sounds great on paper, it’s not what most drivers can realistically expect. Here’s why:
1. The VW Settlement Sets a Real Benchmark
The actual average VW payout in the UK was - £2,100 per car
That’s 10% or less of the value for many owners
It covered a mix of new and used vehicles - not just premium cars
2. Law Firm Promotions Are Optimistic
The “up to 75%” figures are often used in promotional content to attract claimants
These figures reflect maximum theoretical compensation in a perfect-case scenario
They don’t reflect average or even common outcomes
3. 25–75% Might Apply Only in High-Value or Severe Deception Cases
Some premium vehicle owners could claim more due to:
Higher purchase prices
More severe loss in resale value
Clearer proof of misrepresentation
For the average car owner, courts and settlements have leaned towards more modest payouts
4. International Payouts Support Lower Averages
Across countries like the U.S., Germany, and Austria, diesel emissions compensation has typically ranged between 5% and 25% of the vehicle’s value — even in strong cases.
In Germany, courts have awarded around 5–15% of the purchase price.
In Austria, average payouts were about $2,500 per car.
The U.S. offered higher amounts but often included buybacks and stricter legal penalties.
These examples suggest that while high-end claims are possible, the realistic average compensation is much lower than 75%, especially in negotiated settlements.
Realistic Estimates Based on Evidence
Based on the VW payout and current legal proceedings, here’s what we believe are realistic claim values based on your vehicle’s value:
Car Purchase Price | Estimated Claim (10%–25%) |
£5,000 | £500 – £1,250 |
£10,000 | £1,000 – £2,500 |
£20,000 | £2,000 – £5,000 |
In our calculator, we default to a 20% claim value to reflect a reasonable midpoint based on the VW precedent.
Key Takeaway
While you may see ads claiming “you could get up to 75% of your car’s value,” the reality is most diesel emissions claim payouts, including the largest one to date, fall closer to 10–20%.
We’re not here to overhype. We want you to have realistic expectations based on facts, not headlines.
Example: Honest Claim Estimate
You can see how much you might be owed by going to our Diesel Emissions Claims Calculator.
Let’s say you own these diesel cars:
Car | Purchase Price | Realistic Claim (20%) |
Ford Focus | £8,000 | £1,600 |
BMW 3 Series | £12,000 | £2,400 |
Mercedes C-Class | £20,000 | £4,000 |
This is well below 75%, but grounded in real data from existing claims.
Should You Still Claim?
Absolutely - if your car qualifies, you could still receive thousands of pounds. But go in with your eyes open and don’t get misled by marketing hype.
Check your eligibility here: The Claims Guide Diesel Claim Checker
This post is for informational purposes only. Estimated figures are based on publicly available settlements and do not guarantee eligibility or outcome.
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