Peugeot, Citroen/DS & Vauxhall (PVC) FAQs

Leigh Day is investigating a potential group claim against PVC over an alleged ‘defeat device’ fitted on some of their cars in order to artificially reduce emissions to pass EU tests.

Monitoring shows that when the vehicles are driven on the road, they emit many times more levels of toxic Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) gases than under test conditions. This is extremely damaging, as increased levels of NOx contribute to air pollution, which is reported to be the largest environmental risk to UK public health and is linked to as many as 64,000 early deaths a year.

Leigh Day believe that defeat devices are unlawful under UK law and they are planning on bringing legal claims for compensation on behalf of consumers who purchased those vehicles that were affected. Peugeot have been charged with consumer fraud and ordered to set aside €30 million for compensation claims. Despite thousands of Citroën vehicles being recalled, evidence is showing that this is an even wider problem and Citroën has also been ordered to appear in the French courts as part of the cheat device investigations. We believe that this software is unlawful under UK law and we are fighting for compensation on behalf of people who leased or purchased Peugeot Citroën /DS vehicles. The claims could be worth up to 75% of the purchase price of the vehicle, with compensation of up to thousands of pounds per claim.

If you bought or leased a diesel PVC vehicle, your vehicle may be affected and you may be able to apply to join the claim. Please click the ‘CHECK NOW’ button to see if you’re eligible.

Leigh Day have issued the first claims against Peugeot Citroën in the High Court. Leigh Day are the first firm in the UK to take this step and are able to do this through secured funding from commercial providers. Leigh Day have the resources available to instruct the best experts and barristers and to have a large enough legal team to ensure that our clients get the best service possible.

The funding also guarantees that our clients will not be liable to pay any costs to us to bring their claim.

Only people who bought or leased an affected vehicle are able to bring a claim. If you think your vehicle may be affected, or are not sure, please complete our online form and a member of our team will contact you.

Leigh Day believe that most Citroën vehicles registered between 2009 and 2020 could be affected. If you bought or leased a diesel Peugeot, Vauxhall Citroën/DS vehicle complete our online vehicle registration checker to confirm if your vehicle has been affected.

Complete our form as fully as possible. We will need you to provide us with your vehicle registration number so that Leigh Day can confirm if your vehicle is affected.

Other than that, there is very little you need to do!

There are a number of deadlines that may apply to each claim. These will vary depending on the type of claim you are eligible to bring.

Claims have strict time limits and you cannot make a claim once the relevant time limit has passed. We would suggest getting in touch with a member of our team or completing our form as soon as possible.

You do not need to have any documents to start your claim with Leigh Day.

Leigh Day will be bringing these claims on a ‘No Win-No Fee’ basis. This means that they will deduct up to 35% (inclusive of VAT) of your damages if the claim is successful, but if the claim is lost you will not have to pay anything.

We provide two worked examples below to assist with understanding:

Awarded compensation: £7,500
After deductions, the minimum amount you will receive: £4,875
Awarded compensation: £2,500
After deductions, the minimum amount you will receive: £1,625

Leigh Day’s success fee, the insurance premium and the funders’ fees will never be more than 35% of your damages, irrespective of the number of claimants within the group.

Yes, provided you bought an affected vehicle, you are able to bring a claim.

Yes, if the contract is in your name and the vehicle is affected, you are able to bring a claim.

Yes, if the contract is in your name and the vehicle is affected, you are able to bring a claim.

Provided you are able to confirm that your vehicle is affected, yes. You will need to check your vehicle registration number and we will ask you to provide us with your vehicle purchase documents.

No, it does not matter where you bought your PVC vehicle as long as it was bought in England & Wales. You are eligible to bring a claim against the manufacturer whether you bought your vehicle from a Citroën, from a private seller or from a third party dealer, or if you bought the car for business purposes.

Yes, you will still be able to claim whether your vehicle was bought new or second hand.