http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/vw-emissions-row-car-manufacturer-13910469A taxi driver has won a battle against Volkswagen in the latest twist in a row over an emissions fix to his car.
John Denholm was told he would not get compensation for loss of earnings after his taxi broke down after the work was carried out.
The breakdown led to 11 days loss of earnings.
John, of Wallsend, estimated he had lost £1,300 in income.
But now VW has admitted there was a way he could have continued working.
The car company admitted he could have been kept on the road under a pay-and-claim scheme.
He has been offered £1,400 as a gesture of goodwill.
We revealed in September how John was angry after putting his VW Passat in for an emissions upgrade.
He said the car came back in a worse state and needed major repairs.
VW said the faults were coincidental and not related to the ongoing emissions scandal or the upgrade.
But the manufacturer reduced the cost of repair from £3,200 to £750.
At the time bosses ruled out any compensation for loss of earnings.
But a goodwill payment he has been offered and covers John’s estimated loss.
He said: “I received a letter from VW saying there had been a mistake.
“They said I had not been offered anything under a scheme which would have kept me on the road.
“The payment is welcome but I think someone should have realised I was eligible for help under the pay-and-claim scheme at the time.
“It would have stopped a lot of stress and worry.”
John had been given a courtesy car while his taxi was off the road but was unable to use it as a taxi.
The letter confirmed VW’s stance that the problems on the car were not related to the emissions scandal or the upgrade.
VW had made no reference to the pay-and-claim scheme when we investigated John’s complaint earlier.
VW went in for emissions fix - and then the problems really started for Wallsend driver
A spokesman said at the time: “We understand that Mr Denholm is seeking £1,300 for loss of income.
“Mr Denholm’s vehicle experienced a fault, as any mechanical product will do from time to time and for various reasons, and Volkswagen would not normally reimburse loss of profits in such a scenario.
“In light of this, we do not consider it appropriate to reimburse him for any loss of profits, not least due to the amount of individual goodwill already offered to him towards the component replacements despite the fact that Volkswagen had no obligation to do so.”
But VW claims it found a way to help John anyway.
A spokesman for the company said: “We do not consider the changes Mr Denholm reported are related to the technical measures and as such did not consider it appropriate to reimburse him for any loss of profits.
“That said, and in the knowledge that Volkswagen has no obligation to do so, we discussed Mr Denholm’s case with the retailer who assisted him.
“During this discussion it came to light that a general pay-and-claim scheme which would have allowed him to continue his work as a taxi driver, was available, and was not offered.
“In light of this and following our aims to maintain our high levels of customer satisfaction, we have voluntarily decided to offer Mr Denholm further financial support as a gesture of individual goodwill.
“To be clear, this offer of goodwill is not based on the NOx issue nor the technical measures, neither of which caused the issues Mr Denholm reported, but rather due to an apparent failure to follow the proper process.”
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