A man from Harrow is planning on suing car giant Mercedes for its "role in a 'dieselgate' scandal".

This alleges that the vehicle manufacturer used defeat devices to avoid complying with the diesel car emission laws and "cheat" emission tests, with claimants alleging they were “deceived” into purchasing polluting vehicles.

It is estimated that there are 600,000 Mercedes cars in the UK affected by ‘diselgate’, and drivers of certain makes between 2008 and 2018 can join the claim – regardless if the car was new or second hand.

Mohammed Qureshi, from Harrow, purchased three affected vehicles and is among 14,000 claimants represented by law firm Slater and Gordon , who wishes to hold Mercedes to account.

Talking about his claim, he said: "I was shocked to learn of Mercedes’ use of defeat devices in their diesel cars and am keen that all of us who have been let down by Mercedes should receive the compensation we are due.

“It was especially disappointing to see that Mercedes colluded with other car manufacturers to suppress technology that could have reduced the vehicles’ emissions and protected the environment."

The firm is encouraging people to seek compensation, with the value of each claim estimated to reach £10,000.

Mercedes previously recalled select vehicles to make the vehicles comply with emissions regulations.

In a survey of Slater and Gordon’s claimants, 25 per cent of those who have had the fix said they had experienced reliability issues since it was applied.

And 81 per cent of those who have had the fix do not think that Mercedes were transparent with them about potential issues that may arise.

Gareth Pope, the lawyer in charge of the claim, said: “Our clients will allege that Mercedes knowingly installed unlawful defeat devices in hundreds of thousands of UK vehicles that allowed them to pass emissions tests designed to protect human health and the environment while still being highly polluting on the road.

“As a result, our clients will allege that they have been deceived into purchasing these polluting vehicles for more than they were worth."

In response, a Mercedes spokesman said: “We consider the claims made against our company to be unfounded and will defend ourselves with the necessary legal means.

“The courts will clarify the correct interpretation of relevant legal standards in this complex technical environment.

“Our vehicles continue to have valid registration from the relevant authorities.

“Our track record in Germany demonstrates our strong legal position. We see essential points of our legal opinion confirmed by the numerous rulings in the German regional and higher regional courts."

“The decisions are almost unanimously in our favour (in about 95 per cent of the cases)."

To find out how to make a claim, visit: bit.ly/3ErtmzD