Nine in 10 Volkswagen drivers affected by emissions scandal want compensation - and half wouldn't buy a VW again

Almost three quarters are disgruntled with carmaker's response to crisis
Majority bought a Volkswagen based on fuel economy and emissions
VW says it does care and promises to 'do the right thing' by customers

Published: 19:01 EST, 14 October 2015 | Updated: 04:27 EST, 15 October 2015

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An overwhelming 90 per cent of motorists driving Volkswagen cars potentially affected by the diesel emissions scandal believe they should receive a payout.

A Which? survey of 2,000 owners of VW cars built between 2008 and 2015 said they should receive compensation from the carmaker after it admitted 1.2 million vehicles were fitted with emissions-cheating software.

The German manufacturer confirmed for the first time on Monday that models fitted with defeat device did cheat type approval testing for the UK.

Testing times: Volkswagen faces a backlash from owners who want compensation after the carmaker admitted 1.2 million UK cars cheated emissions tests

Some 90 per cent of drivers surveyed said the environmental impact was an important factor when they bought their car, with 96 per cent claiming fuel economy was top of their buying decision.

VW UK boss Paul Willis faced MPs on the transport select committee earlier this week to discuss how its cars cheated emissions tests but said CO2 emissions - which determine the amount of car tax driver pay - would not change when the new emissions test procedure due to arrive in 2016.

'I'm not sure there's any clear evidence that the CO2 emissions on these cars are different in the real world, But we can have a conversation downstream,' he said.

He also said affected models would not see a drop in fuel economy as a result of software updates made to the cars: 'Our engineers are working to the brief that there cannot be any change in miles per gallon.'

Recalls to rectify affected models will kick off in the first quarter of 2016, but the issue of compensation has not been discussed officially by VW as yet.

Clearly disgruntled, over half (52 per cent) of VW owners in the survey said they would now be put off from buying a VW diesel car in the future and nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) believe VW's response to the crisis has been poor.

Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said: 'Many VW owners tell us they decided to buy their car based on its efficiency and low environmental impact, so it's outrageous that VW aren't being clear with their customers about how and when they will be compensated.

'Volkswagen UK must set out an urgent timetable for redress to the owners of the affected vehicles.

'We also need assurances from the Government that it is putting in place changes to prevent anything like this happening again.'

Willis, speaking at the Commons environmental audit committee, on Thursday said: 'On Monday I expressed my heartfelt apologies on behalf of the group that we have let down our customers and the wider public over the findings of irregularities in some diesel vehicles we produce.

'Today I want to reiterate that apology. I can speak for the whole group when I can say Volkswagen is deeply sorry.

'The board of management in Germany continues to take these findings extremely seriously, recognising that we have fallen short of standards that are expected of us.

'We are continuing to work carefully and diligently to remedy the affected engines.

'Since last weekend we've started to send personal letters to each and every affected customer.

'Constant communication will be ongoing throughout the remedy process.

'It is paramount our customers know we do care and we really want to put these things right.

'I can affirm today Volkswagen Group's goal is to be the world's most sustainable vehicle manufacturer by 2018.

'I promise with my dedicated team we will fully resolve this issue, do the right thing and regain trust in our brand.'