Consumers affected by the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal are eligible for damages that could total the entire cost of the vehicle, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice ruled Monday.
That means thousands of motorists affected by the so-called Dieselgate scandal can claim compensation from the carmaker, although the total amount should be dependent on kilometers driven, the court said.
According to the ruling “the buyer of a vehicle with an impermissible shutdown device is entitled to compensation claims against VW” and “they can request reimbursement of the purchase price paid for the vehicle, but must have the benefit of use taken into account and make the vehicle available to VW.”