VW installed 'defeat devices' to subvert emissions tests, high court finds

Judge makes major ruling in mass 'dieselgate' litigation against VW in England and Wales

The car manufacturer Volkswagen subverted key air pollution tests, a British court has found, by using special software to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides under test conditions.

The high court finding is a boost to attempts by campaigners to force the company to address the impact of its cars in producing lung-damaging pollutants at far higher levels than were legally permissible.