A Dutch court has ruled that diesel cars from Opel, Peugeot, Citroën and DS – now all part of Stellantis – contained software designed to cheat emissions tests. The decision adds more weight to the growing Dieselgate scandal, which has already rocked the automotive world and led to billions in compensation claims across Europe.
What did the court find?
In its interim ruling, the court said:
- Opel diesel cars sold since 2009 contained cheating software.
- Peugeot, Citroën and DS diesel cars sold since 2014 were also fitted with similar systems that manipulated emissions results.
The software worked by controlling the vehicle’s emissions system during official tests, keeping nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions artificially low – even though real-world emissions could be far higher.
Although this ruling doesn’t yet decide compensation, it reinforces what we already know – Dieselgate goes far beyond Volkswagen, implicating multiple major manufacturers.
What does Stellantis say?
Stellantis, which owns these brands, denies the accusations and says it will “consider appropriate next steps” to defend its position. The company insists its vehicles comply with emissions regulations, calling the court’s findings “incorrect interim considerations”.
Why does this matter to UK drivers?
The same car models sold in the Netherlands were also sold in the UK.
This case adds to a growing list of legal actions across Europe – and the UK – aimed at holding manufacturers accountable for misleading consumers and harming air quality.
Could you be owed compensation?
If your car was affected, you might be eligible to join the UK Dieselgate group action. Compensation could run into thousands per vehicle, and it costs nothing to check if you qualify.
Other scandals drivers should know about
Dieselgate isn’t the only case Stellantis is involved in.
The company – which owns Citroën – has issued an immediate stop-drive warning for C3 models built between 2009 and 2019, DS3 models from 2009 to 2016, and DS Automobiles DS3 models from 2016 to 2019.
The airbags, originally made by now-defunct supplier Takata, can explode during a crash and fire sharp metal fragments into the car’s cabin. A tragic incident in France, where a driver was killed after a minor collision, brought this long-standing issue back into the spotlight.
UK law firms are now exploring a potential group action against Citroën. If you’ve been impacted, check your eligibility, register your interest, and we’ll keep you in the loop.
