Volkswagen owners still awaiting guidance following emissions scandal, group claims

One year after Volkswagen was revealed to have installed devices designed to cheat emissions tests on many of the group’s cars, local owners of Volkswagen and Audi cars were still uninformed as to which models were equipped with emissions cheating devices.

They had also not been informed as to whether affected models could be repaired by Volkswagen or what compensation they were entitled to if repair was not possible, a consumer group said on Monday. 

In a statement, the Association for Consumer Rights said the lack of information made available to the public following last year's revelations was very worrying. 

"In September 2015, a year ago, the Transport Authority asked importers of VW for information. No update has been given in the media so far," the association said.

"In Malta, who is recalling the cars - VW or the Transport Authority? Do car owners know that the value of their cars is affected? What will happen if they want to sell their car? Who will buy their cars with their emissions transgressing EU rules? It may be too late then to have them repaired," the association said.

Last month, the Consumers Association insisted local owners of affected models should be compensated by VW.

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority – tasked with assessing the VW emissions scandal locally – had confirmed it was holding out for an EU-wide investigation into the scandal, but said it did not rule out carrying out its own investigation. 

According to the association, local VW owners received a letter asking them to return their vehicles for mechanics to carry out the necessary software updates. Owners of second-hand vehicles were being contacted by Transport Malta.