Spanish car maker, SEAT, has been a subsidiary of the German Volkswagen Group since 1986. In 2015, the Volkswagen Group admitted to installing “cheat software” into many of their diesel cars across the world, in order to cheat emission tests in the lab. Many SEAT vehicles were affected.

The SEAT vehicles affected were manufactured between 2009 and 2015. This means that many UK SEAT owners could have been driving vehicles that promised better performance and less pollution than was actually the case. Autocar tests have shown that the cars do have a worse fuel economy after the fix.

Manufacturers have already paid out over £100m in compensation in the UK in respect of the Diesel Emissions scandal.

The SEAT Emissions claim is now closed.

What was the SEAT Emissions Scandal?

The dieselgate scandal, as it is now known, began in September 2015. The Volkswagen Group confessed to knowingly inserting cheat software into more than 11 million cars worldwide in order to cheat emissions tests.

This testing is a crucial factor in the process of eliminating Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) being dispersed into the air. VW Group were, therefore, trying to cheat the system into thinking their cars were more ecologically friendly than they actually were.

Included within this was 1.2 million vehicles that were sold in the UK. The cars sold in the UK included vehicles within the VW Group – SEAT, Skoda, Audi.

Many SEAT owners potentially paid money for a car that they believed to release a certain amount of dangerous NOx, whereas it actually released much more of the gas into the atmosphere.

While no definitive emissions tests have yet taken place in the UK, researchers in the US found that when tested on the road, some cars emitted almost 40 times the permitted US levels of nitrogen oxides. The permitted levels do differ in the US and the UK.

What cars were affected by the SEAT emissions scandal?

A number of SEAT-manufactured vehicles have been affected. The VW NOx Emissions Group Litigation relates to vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT or Skoda with a 1.2, 1.6 or 2.0 litre EA189 diesel engine, manufactured before 2016.

Other cars may be affected including, Porsche. Whilst no finding or decision has been made in respect of other vehicles such as Porsche, our panel are looking into them.

How to find out if your SEAT has been affected by the NOx Emissions scandal

SEAT initially sent out letters if your car was affected and they were recalling cars in order to sort the problem. However, you may not have received this letter or bought on the secondary market in between 2009-2015.

There are currently two links on the SEAT website which can help you find out if you have been affected:

How to check if your SEAT was affected

https://www.seat.co.uk/owners/diesel-engines/vin-number.html

SEAT EA189 Service Action

https://www.seat.co.uk/owners/diesel-engines/home.html

Am I eligible to join the SEAT emissions lawsuit?

You are no longer able to join the SEAT emissions lawsuit. 

Why should you have brought a claim for compensation against SEAT?

ClaimExperts are asked this question regularly, and we believe there are five reasons:

• Saving the Environment
• Corporate Accountability
• Financial Reimbursement for mis-representation
• Saving your health
• No risk to you due to no win, no fee

One of the key reasons is that a multinational company lied to its customers in order to make more profits. This meant that they sold a SEAT that was not what was advertised, meaning your health and your pocket could have been affected.  Clients who have been affected may have suffered damages because of it. 

The Volkswagen Group also lied about a dangerous pollutant – NOx. This is responsible for acid rain, global warming, smog and the deterioration of the ozone layer.

How much can I receive for a SEAT emissions claim?

Manufacturers have already paid out over £100m in compensation in the UK in respect of the Diesel Emissions scandal.

How can I begin my SEAT emissions claim for compensation?

Because the claim is now closed, you cannot begin your SEAT emission claim for compensation. 

If, however, you bought your car using Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance, then you may have a claim for Mis-sold PCP compensation. To read more about this, read our dedicated website here.