Comprehensive measures led by local MEP Daniel Dalton to prevent a repeat of the Dieselgate scandal today secured final approval from the European Parliament.

Mr Dalton said his report introduced a strong, transparent system to ensure cars are safe and meet emissions standards, helping both consumers and the environment.

"Consumers have been cheated and their confidence in the system been undermined," he said. "At the same time when cities like Birmingham have been grappling with air pollution the actions of some manufacturers have caused significant environmental damage."

"My aim has been to clean up after Dieselgate and ensure that in future any manufacturer guilty of miss-selling and deliberate manipulation of test results will be caught."

"This legislation delivers for car owners and the environment while avoiding unnecessary burdens on manufacturers. Safety and emissions standards will finally be applied fairly and properly across the board, which is also good news for West Midlands manufacturers who played by the rules."

The new system introduces:

* Checks on hundreds of cars of various ages to ensure they continue to meet emission and safety standards in real driving conditions throughout their lives;

* For the first time national authorities are required to fine car makers guilty of significant failures;

* The European Commission will oversee national testing authorities and have powers to undertake spot checks on cars across the EU;

* Vehicles failing tests will be subject to a rapid EU-wide recall system.

The legislation also demands that independent garages are granted access to new vehicle information previously withheld by manufacturers, enabling them to compete for repairs and servicing work.

Mr Dalton said:

"This has been a key issue for me as lead negotiator. It will open up the market and make repairs cheaper by introducing greater competition between independent businesses and franchise garages." 

The new laws must be introduced by September 2020, and so it will enter into UK law during the transition period after Brexit.

ENDS

For more information please contact Alex Davis on +32 (0)22847897 or alexander.davis@ep.europa.euv