Daimler acts to reduce nitrogen oxide output as diesel emissions remain under scrutiny in wake of VW scandal

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Almost every new Mercedes-Benz diesel car bought in the UK during the past six years is being recalled to improve their emissions performance.



Germany’s Daimler, which makes the vehicles, said the measure to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) output, which will cost the company about €220m (£195m), would involve no cost to owners.

The action is being taken in relation to nearly all cars with diesel engines meeting the Euro 5 standard – implemented in 2011 – and the existing Euro 6 rules.

The firm would not confirm how many UK owners were affected, but said 1 million vehicles in Germany and 2 million in the rest of Europe were being recalled. Last year, 170,000 new Mercedes-Benz cars were registered in the UK.

Diesel emissions have come under scrutiny since Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 that 482,000 of its vehicles in the US were fitted with defeat device software to switch engines to a cleaner mode when undergoing environmental tests.

The German manufacturer said 11 million of its vehicles were affected worldwide – including almost 1.2 million in the UK.

A government report published in April 2016 showed diesel cars sold in the UK emit an average of six times more NOx than the legal limit used in official tests.

Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of the board of management of Daimler and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “The public debate about diesel engines is creating uncertainty – especially for our customers. We have therefore decided on additional measures to reassure drivers of diesel cars and to strengthen confidence in diesel technology.