Abgasskandal: Nachrüstung für EURO-5-Diesel

Is the hardware update worth it for you?

The car companies have caused massive damage to diesel buyers with illegal emissions manipulation. Those affected are threatened with driving bans due to the high nitrogen emissions and financial damage as the buyback value of the vehicles has fallen dramatically. Diesel manufacturers have long refused to offer effective hardware upgrades, but now many customers are receiving offers to do so. What should we make of this?

For several months now, owners of Euro 5 diesels, including the brands BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and VW, offers for retrofitting with SCR catalysts. This is intended to “completely avoid” driving bans. Volkswagen and Daimler pay subsidies of up to 3,000 euros for the conversion – but only in cities with too high NO_xvalues in which driving bans BMW and Volvo have so far refused. Since the cost of the conversion is well over 3,000 euros, even diesel owners who receive a subsidy have to pay a few hundred euros extra. For a Mercedes GLK 220 CDI, for example, 1,250 euros are due.

What are the benefits of hardware upgrade?

Many drivers are confused: does the retrofitting of SCR catalysts really make vehicles cleaner? And why should only Euro 5 diesels be fitted with them when there are numerous Euro 6 cars whose nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are well above the permissible limits? Car manufacturers have long refused to carry out hardware upgrades; does the sudden change of opinion mean that software updates are useless after all? And why do car manufacturers not cover the full cost of the upgrades? After all, they are responsible for the fact that diesels only comply with the limits on the test bench, but not on the road.

Avoid driving bans

In fact, the hardware upgrades for Euro 5 diesel are part of the "Concept for clean air and securing individual mobility in our cities"This provides for driving bans for Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel vehicles – unless the vehicles emit less than 270 mg NO in real operation._x per kilometer – and not just in a narrow “thermal window“, but under the weather conditions typical in Central Europe.

50 percent less nitrogen oxides thanks to SCR catalyst

These limits cannot be met with the software updates advertised by the car manufacturers. On the contrary: in some cases, nitrogen emissions even increase further after the update, as a report by the ZDF magazine "Frontal 21" shows.

Now hardware upgrades are supposed to fix it. The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has been issuing operating permits for SCR systems since mid-2019. In cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport, the ADAC four retrofit catalysts were tested. The result: The NO_xEmissions from Euro 5 diesels can be reduced by at least 50 percent – albeit with outliers at low temperatures.

"Better late than never. The car companies have finally realized that their cheap solution of software updates does not turn polluters into environmentally friendly cars. For diesel owners, hardware retrofitting is a good way to make their diesel cleaner and avoid driving bans and loss of value. But: only a few diesel owners receive the manufacturer subsidy. And those who claim it usually waive their right to compensation in the diesel emissions scandal. Given the fact that the car manufacturers deliberately harmed their customers with the illegal switch-off devices, this is unacceptable. The manufacturers would have to bear the full costs of repairing the damage they caused themselves. We therefore recommend that all those affected seek legal advice."

Partner Dr. Marco Rogert

Is hardware upgrade the right solution for you?

If you receive an offer to retrofit your vehicle, you are not obliged to have the update carried out. Before you decide, you should first consider whether the SCR retrofit is worthwhile for your vehicle at all. This depends on the age of your diesel, the potential increase in value and any possible driving bans. In particular, if the manufacturer does not provide a cost subsidy, reversing the car purchase in return for compensation may be the better alternative for you. Or would you like to keep your car but have the manufacturer pay for the update in full?

We are happy to advise you and represent your claims. The chances for individual lawsuits are better than ever. Trust our expertise and extensive experience with proceedings in the diesel emissions scandal. We have already obtained numerous successful judgments for our clients. Contact us!