Attention camper owners! Thousands of Dutch people are entitled to compensation

You know Dieselgate from Volkswagen, but other manufacturers have also cheated on emissions. Thousands of Dutch motorhome owners are therefore entitled to compensation. At least according to the German court.

This is the Fiat Ducato, which forms the basis for around two thirds of the campers. According to various emissions tests, the Euro 6 models built between 2014 and 2020 are more harmful to the environment than on paper. Comparable to the Volkswagen scandal.

Manipulation of the Fiat Ducato motorhome

It is not the case that every Dutch person with a Euro 6 Fiat Ducato motorhome can immediately apply for compensation. With the ruling in Germany, only people who have imported a mobile home from our eastern neighbors can now claim compensation.

Marco Ghiglioni, head of the legal service provider Goldstein Legal, says that in Germany, in contrast to the Netherlands, there is now a high level of legal certainty. This legal certainty is due to long-standing proceedings against Fiat, part of the large Stellantis group.

According to reports, companies that built motorhomes based on the Fiat Ducato were unaware of the emissions manipulations. Motorhome brands such as Hymer, Carthago or Dethleffs therefore accept no liability.

As a Dutch citizen, you can therefore make a claim for damages, especially if you purchased directly in Germany. “If you bought an imported Fiat Ducato from a dealer or tradesman, it becomes more difficult,” says Ghiglioni.

Percentage of compensation

“There have now been two lawsuits involving a Fiat Ducato that have reached this point. (…) This is usually compensation of 10 percent of the purchase price. Sometimes we also see 15 percent,” Ghiglioni told Autovisie. Even if you have already resold the motorhome, you may still be entitled to compensation.

In 2020, the Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office sent out a press release about the fraudulent campers, almost three years ago. This means the case expires on December 31, 2023. “This is less true in the Netherlands because the case is less publicized in the Netherlands. It is therefore advisable to take measures beforehand,” explains Ghiglioni.