UK High Court finds most carmakers’ diesel test strategies were not illegal defeat devices

A High Court judge ruled that vehicles from major manufacturers did not contain emissions-cheating devices alleged to have enabled them to pass tests, according to BBC. Around 1.6 million motorists are suing more than a dozen manufacturers over claims that diesel vehicles made from 2009 onwards contained “prohibited defeat devices” (PDDs), with 880,000 claimants saying they were misled about emissions tests.

The 10-week trial examined 20 sample vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Nissan, Ford, and Peugeot and Citroen. Lady Justice Cockerill said most strategies did not constitute PDDs, except one in Mercedes cars that was removed in 2015 and another used in some Peugeot-Citroen vehicles. A further trial is scheduled for October this year to determine consequences, damages or other remedies.