A living record of regulatory actions, lawsuits, and consumer protection orders against Škoda and VW Group worldwide. Use this to understand your rights and find the right authority to escalate to.
Why this matters for your dispute: Regulators track patterns across thousands of complaints. Your individual report contributes to the aggregate evidence that triggers investigations, fines, and legislation.
FCA PS26/3 — Motor Finance PCP/HP Mis-selling Redress Scheme
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) + Financial Ombudsman Service · Filed: October 2024 (Supreme Court ruling) · Updated: March 2026 (PS26/3 confirmed); May 2026 (VWFS challenging via judicial review)
On 30 March 2026, the FCA confirmed a mandatory redress scheme (Policy Statement PS26/3) covering 12.1 million motor finance agreements made between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. Lenders including Škoda Financial Services / VWFS must proactively assess every eligible agreement and pay compensation — without consumers needing to complain. Total estimated industry redress: £7.5 billion. Average payout: approximately £829 per agreement. VW Financial Services (UK) Ltd had a 57% confirmed Discretionary Commission Arrangement rate — among the highest in the industry.
Key allegations
•Dealers received hidden discretionary commissions from finance providers without consumer knowledge or consent
•Consumers were charged higher interest rates as a result — without informed consent
•Supreme Court confirmed (August 2025) that undisclosed commissions can constitute unfair conduct under the Consumer Credit Act
•VWFS UK (FCA Reg. 311988) directly named in the redress scheme
•VWFS separately fined £5.4 million (October 2024) for failing customers in financial difficulty — plus £21.5 million redress to 110,000 customers
Outcome: PS26/3 confirmed. VWFS is challenging via judicial review (May 2026) but FCA has ordered continued implementation. DEADLINES: File before 30 June 2026 for post-2014 agreements (response by 30 Sept 2026). File before 31 Aug 2026 for 2007–2014 agreements (response by 30 Nov 2026). Final deadline: 31 August 2027.
What this means for you: If you took out a PCP or HP agreement on a Škoda between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, you may be entitled to compensation. File a free complaint at customer.vwfs.co.uk/commission-complaints.html to register your claim. No solicitor needed. Note: SkodaCheats is not FCA-authorised — this is general consumer information, not financial advice. Seek independent financial advice for your specific situation.
🌍WorldwidePartially resolved — ongoing in some markets
Dieselgate — VW Group Emissions Fraud
US EPA, FCA (Australia), KBA (Germany), ACCC, NGT (India), and regulators worldwide · Filed: 2015 · Updated: 2026 — EA288 still active; German criminal convictions May 2025
Volkswagen Group installed "defeat device" software in diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests. Affected Škoda models include Octavia, Fabia, Superb, Yeti, and Rapid with EA189 1.2/1.6/2.0 TDI engines (2008–2015). VW Group has paid over $33 billion globally. In May 2025, a German court convicted four former VW managers of fraud. EA288 engine litigation remains active in some markets.
Key allegations
•EA189 engine: defeat device confirmed — VW admitted fraud September 2015. ~300,000 Škoda vehicles affected in Germany alone
•EA288 engine: December 2024 recall for 3,583 Fabia/Roomster (recall code 23R6) for emissions defeat device
•KBA registered voluntary service measure for ~344,000 Škoda Octavia/Superb (2015–2018) for NOx reduction
•German criminal convictions (26 May 2025): four managers convicted; Jens Hadler sentenced to 4.5 years imprisonment
•Total global costs: over $33 billion in fines, compensation, and settlements
Outcome: UK: EA189 class action settled ~£193 million to 91,000 claimants — CLOSED. Germany: vzbv consumer settlement ~€770 million to 240,000 consumers — CLOSED. Australia: ACCC $125M penalty (upheld High Court 2021) + $120M consumer settlement to 43,000 owners — CLOSED. EA288 claims still open in Germany — check limitation dates with a lawyer.
What this means for you: CHECK YOUR VIN at recallactions.skoda-auto.com or skoda.co.uk/owners/recall-campaigns to see if your vehicle has an open recall. EA288 owners (2013+ TDI Škoda) may still have active legal claims in Germany — consult dr-stoll-kollegen.de or hahn-rechtsanwaelte.de.
🌍Worldwide (UK, EU, Australia, and global)Open recall — act now
Takata Airbag Recall — Multiple Škoda Models
DVSA (UK), KBA (Germany), and national vehicle safety agencies · Filed: Various (2015 onwards) · Updated: December 2024 (renewed recall 23R6)
Škoda vehicles fitted with Takata airbags are subject to a mandatory safety recall. The gas generator in the driver's airbag can fail and release metal fragments when deployed. Affected Škoda models include Citigo, Fabia, Kodiaq, Octavia, Rapid, Roomster, Superb, and Yeti — build dates 1 June 2012 to 15 December 2017 (recall code 69DU; 580,068 vehicles globally). In December 2024, Škoda renewed recall code 23R6 for Fabia and Roomster (2008–2015).
Key allegations
•Fault in the gas generator of the driver's airbag — can release metal fragments on deployment
•December 2024: Fabia and Roomster (2008–2015) subject to renewed recall code 23R6
Outcome: All affected vehicles must be recalled and repaired free of charge. There is no time limit on safety recall repairs.
What this means for you: CHECK YOUR VIN immediately: gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall (UK), kba-online.de/rrdb/buerger/ (Germany), or recallactions.skoda-auto.com. If Škoda or a dealer refuses to carry out the recall repair, report to the DVSA (UK) or KBA (Germany) immediately.
UOKiK v. Volkswagen Group Poland — Dieselgate Consumer Deception
Urząd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów (UOKiK) · Filed: 2017–2019 · Updated: Settled
Poland's consumer protection authority (UOKiK) fined Volkswagen Group Poland a record PLN 74 million for misleading customers about Dieselgate emissions software and instructing dealers to reject consumer complaints. This was the largest consumer protection fine in Polish history at the time.
Key allegations
•Systematic consumer deception about emissions software defeat devices
•Instructing dealers to reject and dismiss consumer complaints about affected vehicles
Outcome: Settled. VW Group Poland paid the fine. This demonstrates that national consumer authorities in EU countries have independently prosecuted VW Group beyond Germany.
What this means for you: Polish consumers with ongoing EA288-related issues can cite this UOKiK precedent when filing with UOKiK or consumer arbitration courts.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) · Filed: Various 2024–2025 · Updated: June 2026
As of June 2026, 19 Škoda model lines have recall actions on the UK DVSA system. Key recent campaigns: (1) Brake fluid leak/fire risk (2024): 15,729 Octavia (2019–2023) and Superb (2015–2023) vehicles — heat protection mat incorrectly fitted, brake fluid can leak creating fire risk. (2) Takata airbag ongoing: Citigo, Fabia, Kodiaq, Octavia, Rapid, Roomster, Superb, Yeti (2012–2017).
Key allegations
•15,729 Škoda Octavia and Superb vehicles: heat shield incorrectly fitted — risk of brake fluid leak and vehicle fire (2024)
•Takata airbag gas generator defect — multiple models 2012–2017 (ongoing)
Outcome: Recalls are compulsory. All repairs must be carried out free of charge by Škoda/authorised dealers, regardless of warranty status or vehicle age.
What this means for you: Check your registration at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall. If Škoda or a dealer refuses or delays a mandatory recall repair, report immediately to the DVSA at forms.dvsa.gov.uk/Vsdr/create.
All information sourced from official government, court, and regulatory records. Case summaries represent findings and allegations from those records. Last updated June 2026.
