Defective Vehicles

Defective vehicle claims arise when a vehicle's design or manufacturing defect causes injury, death, or financial loss. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, manufacturers are strictly liable for defective products — the claimant does not need to prove negligence.

Common defects include faulty brakes, airbag failures, steering system defects, tyre blowouts, seatbelt malfunctions, electrical fires, acceleration defects, and emissions cheating (as in the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal). Vehicle recalls are strong evidence that the manufacturer knew of a defect.

Group litigation orders (GLOs) allow multiple claimants affected by the same defect to pursue claims together. The VW dieselgate litigation resulted in a £193 million settlement for UK consumers. Similar group claims have been brought for other vehicle defects affecting multiple owners.

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) maintains records of vehicle recalls and safety defects. MHRA recalls for medical device defects in vehicle-related equipment are also relevant. Expert engineering evidence is essential to establish the defect and its role in causing the injury.

Compensation for personal injury from vehicle defects follows standard personal injury guidelines. Financial loss claims (reduced vehicle value, repair costs) depend on the specific defect. The limitation period is 3 years from injury or knowledge, with a 10-year longstop from when the vehicle was first supplied.