In a press release published on September 7, the European Commission announced that in collaboration with EU consumer authorities it sent a letter to Volkswagen’s CEO urging the group to swiftly repair all cars affected by the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal. This co-ordinated action was required following complaints by consumers across the EU that their cars have not yet been repaired yet.
In 2016, following talks with the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourová, Volkswagen committed to repairing all affected cars by autumn 2017.
It was agreed that all affected cars would be brought into full conformity with type approval rules and that Volkswagen would guarantee to resolve any potential problems arising after the repairs.
The letter sent to Volkswagen urges the latter to confirm, within one month, that the original agreement would be upheld. In this press release the Commission explained that Volkswagen was requested to provide a detailed account on what has been achieved and what remains to be done.
The Commissioner said that more than eight million consumers in different Member States had been affected by the Volkswagen case and “when there are pan-European problems like this, only by acting together can consumer authorities ensure that EU consumer law is respected everywhere in the Union”.
The joint letter has requested Volkswagen to provide affected consumers with:
Precise and clear reasons why the car has to be repaired;
What the repair entails;
What they have to do to get their car repaired;
What can or will happen if they do not have their cars repaired;
In which Member States will cars that have not been repaired stop being roadworthy and when.
With regard to consumers who have bought their vehicles outside the Volkswagen dealership or are maintaining it outside such dealership, Volkswagen is being requested to maximise their efforts to contact and inform these car owners.
The Consumer Affairs Office welcomes Volkswagen’s trust-building measure, which gives consumers assurance on repairs that will not be limited to only certain parts of the car nor to a given time period and also that the cars’ overall performance will be retained post repair.
Since under the sales and guarantee directive it is the seller who is responsible for any defect at the time the goods are delivered, Volkswagen has been requested to use all possible means to facilitate the car dealers’ work. Volkswagen has also been requested to extend the period for a free repair of the software as long as necessary to ensure that all cars conform to EU consumer law.
Maltese consumers who have purchased Volkswagen cars and need further information may contact the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority via e-mail at info@mccaa.org.mt or by calling 2395 2000.
Odette Vella is director, Information Education and Research Directorate, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt