Volkswagen admitted in 2015 that software giving lower emission readings was used in 11 million diesel cars worldwide. The company has already paid billions of dollars in compensation.
British High Court judge David Waksman ruled that "the affected vehicles did contain defeat devices" as defined by EU legislation.
The British court's ruling opens the way for compensation claims by owners of the estimated 1.2 million affected Volkswagen group vehicles in Britain.
The action was brought by lawyers representing 90,000 owners of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat vehicles.
British High Court judge David Waksman ruled that "the affected vehicles did contain defeat devices" as defined by EU legislation.
The British court's ruling opens the way for compensation claims by owners of the estimated 1.2 million affected Volkswagen group vehicles in Britain.
The action was brought by lawyers representing 90,000 owners of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat vehicles.