Olivia Burke
Millions of BMW drivers could be eligible for a hefty chunk of change.
The German car manufacturer was caught up in a controversy that rocked the motors industry in 2015.
Dubbed 'dieselgate', it was alleged that dozens of car makers had allegedly installed illegal emissions-cheating software into diesel vehicles.
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These so-called 'defeat devices' artificially lowered emissions when vehicles detected they were being tested.
When the motors were examined in lab conditions, the engines released safe measures of nitrogen oxide which complied with regulations.
But when they were analysed on the roads, the International Council on Clean Transportation found that the cars emitted much larger levels of the gases that dramatically exceeded emission standards.
As these motors produced more harmful nitrogen oxide pollution than advertised, they were therefore mis-sold to drivers.
Volkswagen was the first to be accused before a string of popular car manufacturers followed.
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If you owned or leased a diesel BMW that was made between 2009 and July 2016, it could have had a built-in defeat device.
You could have bought the car outright or on finance, direct from a manufacturer or a third party and it doesn't matter if you no longer own it.
Motorists need to take initiative and sign up to claim this compensation, as it falls on you to chase it up.
To find out if you are eligible for the payout of up to £10,000, you can visit the Diesel Claim website.
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Simply enter your car's registration number and fill out a few quick questions.
The website will then inform you if you are entitled to any cash after checking your vehicle.
Joining the claim is operated on a no-win-no-fee basis, so you don't have anything to lose either.
The site states motorists could receive compensation worth up to 75 percent of the vehicle's original price.
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Other car giants who are accused of misleading consumers include Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Citroen, Seat, Nissan and Vauxhall.
BMW previously denied the allegations of tampering with emissions results and adding defeat devices in 2017.
It said in a statement: "The BMW Group wishes to make clear the distinction between potential violations of antitrust law on the one hand and illegal manipulation of exhaust gas treatment on the other. The BMW Group has not been accused of the latter."