Volkswagen emissions scandal: what to do if you own a VW diesel

Volkswagen has said 11 million cars are affected

A board showing the logos of car brands belonging to Volkswagen (Getty Images)

Volkswagen has recalled diesel cars in the US for a software update, after it was revealed that the manufacturer is using defeat devices to falsify the results of its emissions tests.

Volkswagen has said 11 million cars are affected, but it is not clear how many of these are in Europe. On Thursday Alexander Dobrindt, the German Transport Minister, said that Volkswagen had used the same system to cheat emissions tests in the EU.

What should I do if I drive a Volkswagen diesel?

Nothing for the time being. The UK has launched a probe but there is not yet a recall in Europe. Volkswagen has said it will contact drivers of affected cars in the US but that the vehicles pose no safety risk.

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Will my car be recalled?

There is no recall in the UK at present, but if one is announced, it will likely involve the affected vehicles. These are the Jetta, Beetle, Audi, A3 and Golf models dating 2009-2015 and Passat models dating 2014-2015 to pass stringent US Environment Protection Agency regulations.

What if I have a diesel car by another manufacturer?

The EA189 engines at the centre of the emissions scandal had also been fitted to several Skoda and Seat models sold in the UK. It is not clear whether these makes used the same defeat device in emissions tests.

There were reports in the German press that BMW might be implicated in the scandal, but BMW has denied these claims.

What will happen to my car if it is recalled?

Engineers would have to fix software that sensed when the car was in a test scenario and reduced emissions by up to 10 times compared to a normal road scenario.

How much will this cost?

Consumers should not be liable to pay for the costs of any software update. VW has set aside €6.5bn to cover costs.

What about the value of my car?

The affected models were sold at a premium and are expected to have lost much of their resale value, especially in the US, which is subject to stricter emissions controls.