The "verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband" reaches an agreement with Volkswagen on a comparison. Questions and answers about the diesel scandal at VW.

lawyers of the "verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband" (vzbv) in September 2019 photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa

What VW customers can now receive compensation?

According to information provided by vzbv chief Klaus Müller, the comparison is only valid for 262.500 the 446.000 VW customers who have registered for the pattern for a declaratory judgment (MFK). Because many of the registered Mitkläger do not meet the prerequisites or have already made the list, unsubscribe. Entitled as a comparison of those who have purchased a vehicle with the engine of the type EA 189, registered are lived, when they purchase the car in Germany and the vehicle in front of the 1. January 2016 have purchased.

Get the legitimate claimants now automatically money?

automatically the compensation will not be issued. VW wrote to all eligible customers. 20. March, consumers can get on a group platform set up on the Internet, an individual offers. Up to 20. April must decide for the customer whether they want to accept it or further actions. To facilitate this decision, you may have a lawyer of your choice for advice. The cost of an initial consultation, the company accepts up to a height of 190 Euro.

What the amount of compensation?

the amount of The individual payment depends on the age of the vehicle and the purchase price. According to Müller, the compensation is equivalent to 15 percent of the purchase price, in each case between 1,350 Euro and 6.257 Euro. Auditors have approved during the settlement negotiations at the Braunschweig higher regional court, the method of calculation. The auditor will spot check whether the Wolfsburg-based group has in mind. For the case of a dispute, ombudsmen stand ready to help as a Mediator.

the customer Should accept the comparison?

The vzbv with a clear statement. "We make no General recommendation," says Müller, and refers to the differences in individual cases. Therefore, VW must pay individual consultations by lawyers. As a result, this can lead to the fact that customers are content with the settlement offer, but even against VW action, or one of the mass actions connect.

How to do it for the customers who do not want to engage in on the comparison?

These customers can on the 5. May hope. On this day, the Federal court may determine whether or not a claim for damages for all VW customer of this engine type, and whether the purchase price is a fee must be deducted. A number of courts have now decided to sue in the interests of consumers. With the Supreme court vote the right to enforce it may be easier and the Individual more money to pop out.

How expensive is the pattern of declaratory action for the group?

To 830 million euros is the amount of compensation, if any, Authorized to accept the settlement offer. This sum is not capped. You should rise more than three percent, the group deeper into the bag, And the high cost of the process is yet to come. With regard to the claim of the vzbv-lawyers in the amount of 50 million euros, VW had to make the negotiations just two weeks ago, fail. Now it costs the company significantly more. With around 50 million euros in the deliberations beat through freely chosen lawyers to book. Around 16 million euros for the bureaucratic implementation of the compromises, expenses for auditors and ombudsmen.