Cheating VWs remain legal — for now

Thousands of New Zealand Volkswagen owners caught in the brand’s global emissions scandal have dispensation to keep driving them legally — for now.

The Government’s Transport Agency says the performance remains unclear of 4639 diesel vehicles which Volkswagen owned up yesterday to having sold in this country since 2009 with software to cheat emissions tests.

“No decisions will be made about their legality or otherwise until we have more information,” a spokesman said last night. “People can continue to use their vehicles in the interim, and they can expect to receive updates from the vendor . . .”

He said the Government recognised owners of any affected vehicles would have bought them in good faith.

Volkswagen has published on its website a link to a German database into which owners can enter vehicle identification (VIN) numbers to check if their engines have “defeat device” software which the United States Environmental Protection Agency found last month was suppressing smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions during tests.

The EPA found those soared by up to 40 times the permitted level in everyday driving.

VW New Zealand general manager Tom Ruddenklau, who initially said none of the 75,000 or so vehicles the company had sold here were affec- ted, yesterday listed eight models powered by the offending four-cylinder EA 189 diesel engines.

VW says the vehicles remain “safe from a technical standpoint and roadworthy”.

Mr Ruddenklau said his division had wanted to ensure as many affected vehicles as possible were included on the German database before adding a link on its own website.

Although it posted the link after owners started finding their own way to the database, he indicated frustration that the affected Amaroks had yet to be included on it.

Auckland VW owner Grant Smitton said he had verified from the database at the weekend that his 2010 Tiguan SUV, for which he paid “top dollar” to obtain the highest-specification model available on the basis of superior fuel economy and “clean diesel” technology, had the offending software.

He could not envisage an easy fix to the engine problem, without compromising fuel economy, so “would be happy with a refund or a replacement with a compliant diesel’’.

Mr Ruddenklau said he was happy to talk to customers about their concerns, but believed his company should be given a chance to try to remedy the problem before deciding what else to do. Tto find the link to the German VW vehicle database, visit: http: //www.volkswagen.co.nz/diesel-emissionstatement/ Tiguan SUVs manufactured from 2009 to 2015

Passat cars (2009-15)

Amarok utes (2011-12)

Golf cars (2009-13)

Caddy vans (2011-15)

Polo cars (2011)

Sharan people movers (2013)

Touran people mover (2011)