Volkswagen has lost another legal battle over the dieselgate scandal, this time in Germany’s highest civil court.
The case was compensation for the buyer of a secondhand minivan fitted with emissions-cheating software.
The world’s largest carmaker was ordered to take back the plaintiff’s vehicle and pay more than €28,000 (£25,325) in a case that opens the floodgates for around 60,000 German VW owners to demand similar payouts.
Volkswagen and fellow German carmaker Daimler have paid more than €30bn (£28bn) in fines and compensation around the world since the cheat device scandal was first revealed in 2015, the Guardian reports.
VW was found to have installed software that artificially lowered emissions of nitrogen oxides during the testing procedure, meaning the output of the harmful pollutants were much higher when the vehicles were actually on the road.
A Volkswagen spokesman said: 'The ruling of the German federal court of justice will bring closure for the diesel proceedings in Germany.
'Volkswagen is now seeking to bring these proceedings to a prompt conclusion in agreement with the plaintiffs. We will therefore approach the plaintiffs with the adequate settlement proposals.'
In the UK, Volkswagen faces 91,000 consumer claims under a group litigation order.
A high court judge hearing the case recently accepted that Volkswagen installed a 'cheat device' in cars under its Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda brands.
Volkswagen had disputed the accusation in the UK and said it is 'confident in its case'.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login