‘Thousands’ of Mercedes to be recalled

THE number of Irish Mercedes owners affected by a recall of three million diesel vehicles across Europe for an emissions software update could run into thousands.

While there are no firm projections for Ireland yet, it is reported that nearly all Mercedes diesel vehicles bought in the UK over the past six years will be involved.

If that scale of recall turns out to be accurate, then the numbers involved for Ireland would likely be of the same proportion, making it one of the largest recalls in recent times.

Irish Mercedes sales for the past six years were 1,868 in 2012, 1,465 in 2013, 2,076 in 2014, 2,634 in 2015, 3,791 last year and 4,085 so far in 2017, according to official figures.

A spokesman for the Irish distributors of the brand said it will be some time before it is known for certain what, and how many, vehicles are affected.

The spokesman said they are still awaiting word from German headquarters on the volumes and models involved - and the likely time scale for the operation.

A spokesman for Daimler, who own Mercedes, emphasised the recall, which he described as a “voluntary service measure” was to cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution and bolster confidence in diesel engines amid growing controversy around the fuel.

The spokesman said they expected implementation of the measures will be starting in the coming weeks.

Like the all of the three million Mercedes diesel owners across Europe, Irish drivers will not incur any cost associated with the software fix which is expected to take about an hour.

It is also anticipated that the work will cost €70 for each car, leaving the luxury car maker with a bill of around €220m.

Emissions

Authorities in Germany have been investigating the possible manipulation of diesel exhaust emissions in its cars for some time, however there has been no concrete evidence that Mercedes has breached regulations. And the car-maker has vigorously denied any suggestion of cheating.

The Mercedes recall decision comes after its executives were last week questioned by politicians about emissions.

In May, German police searched 11 offices of the auto maker as part of a special investigation into emissions data.