STUTTGART (dpa-AFX) - The Stuttgart-based car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has installed inadmissible defeat devices in certain diesel cars. This is the result of a model declaratory judgment by the Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Stuttgart, which was announced by the presiding judge Thilo Rebmann on Thursday. This means that consumer advocates have partially prevailed with a lawsuit that they had filed against Mercedes in the wake of the diesel scandal.

In the test case, the association had focused on vehicles with a certain type of engine from the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer that were affected by recall notices from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in 2018 and 2019. According to the KBA, Mercedes had installed unlawful defeat devices in these vehicles - thus restricting the purification of diesel exhaust gases. Mercedes denied the allegations at the time.

It was initially unclear how many car owners could now claim compensation. According to the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), around 2,800 people had joined the lawsuit. However, the chamber also dismissed parts of the claim. In addition, both the consumer advocates and Mercedes can still appeal against the ruling at the Federal Court of Justice. Only if the ruling in Karlsruhe is upheld can consumers enforce their right to compensation. They have to do this themselves.

Mercedes announced shortly after the ruling that it intended to appeal. "We have a different legal opinion than the court," said a spokesperson. We continue to believe that the claims against the company are unfounded and will defend ourselves against them./jwe/DP/mis