Spanish Audi Q5 Owner Could Be Compensated By VW Over Dieselgate

Excluding the US, Volkswagen may still fly under the radar in most parts of the globe when it comes to compensating owners of diesel cars fitted with the cheating emissions software, but in Spain a precedent is close to being set.

According to AutomotiveNewsEurope, a Spanish court ordered two Volkswagen Group subsidiaries to pay €5,000 ($5,452) to an Audi Q5 owner, whose SUV, which he bought new in 2013, was found to have the illegal software that makes exhaust emissions tests appear less polluting than they really are.

The amount is said to be equivalent to 10 percent of the vehicle's original value, but as small as the won battle may seem to be, it could create a precedent for other owners of diesel-powered cars made by the Volkswagen Group, which are part of the massive scandal that emerged last September. Moreover, the owner of the Audi Q5 has no reason to celebrate, as his initial demand was, besides being compensated, to be given a brand new car.

The decision is not final and will be appealed by the car company, as an insider confirmed.