By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda owners: check your VIN
Are you driving a dodgy diesel? Owners of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat cars can now check if they are driving one of the famed 'dieselgate' models. We explain how to find out if your car is affected - and what your rights are.
UPDATE 7th October: All VIN checkers are now live, see below for links.
1,189,906 cars - that's how many models in the UK are affected by the 'dieselgate' scandal, according to Volkswagen Group.
The cars in question are spread over four of the VW Group's main brands: Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat. Owners of affected cars should be contacted within the next few weeks.
However, if you want to find out if you should be getting a call, and what should happen next, we'll tell you here.
Looking for a new car? Don't be duped by the official figures. We publish our own emission and MPG data in everycar review, so you can make the right decision.
How to check if your car is affected
The VIN number will be at the bottom left-hand-side of the windshield, or in your service book (the number shown in the picture is an example).
To find out if your car is one of the models affected, you'll need your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The VIN is a 17 character-string of letters and numbers. Here's an example: WVWZZZ1JZXW000010.
You'll find the VIN in one of two places. The most obvious will be at the bottom of the windshield, on the left hand side when looking at your car from the bonnet. The other place you can find the number is in the front of your vehicle's service book. See our illustration of where you can find the number.
Now you have your VIN, you'll need to go to the checker on the car brand's own site:
Volkswagen cars: Volkswagen VIN checker
Audi: Audi VIN checker
Skoda: Skoda VIN checker
Seat: Seat VIN checker
I'm affected - what do I do? What are my rights?
Affected customers will be informed by the manufacturer (whether that's Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat or Audi) that the emissions characteristics of their vehicles will need to be corrected.
If you find out that you own one of the affected cars, there is no legal requirement to stop driving it. The manufacturer has confirmed that all vehicles are technically safe and roadworthy.
Don't worry about rushing to the dealer, either. The manufacturer will contact you. However, if you happen to be due to take your car in for servicing at a Volkswagen/Audi/Skoda/Seat centre, you should be told if the car is one of those affected.
Arrangements will later be made concerning the cars being corrected.
If the car needs to be kept in, we advise that you push to be supplied with a courtesy car while the work is being carried out.
Sick of fantasy fuel figures? Sign our campaign.
98%A recent Which? investigation found that 98% of vehicles were not as efficient as claimed.
Dodgy emissions from diesel-powered Volkswagen cars isn't the only problem.
For years we've been highlighting that cars across the entire market, both petrol and diesel, fall short of their official MPG (mile per gallon) figures. It's so common, that a recent Which? investigation found that 98% of cars we've tested could not match their official MPG claim.
This means you could spend hundreds of pounds more on fuelling your car then you expected. Help us bring about more honest tests by signing our come clean on fuel claims campaign.
- Find out how we test MPG
- After a top model? Check out our best cars
- After a bargain? Our guide to buying a used car
