The list is long of the cases on which he has pooled legal actions: Linky counter, privatization of Toulouse airport, Levothyrox or chlordecone scandals … Christophe Lèguevaques, lawyer at the Paris bar, and three of his colleagues ( including one in Marseille and one in Toulouse) have decided to attack by launching a joint collective action against Renault in what they call the “motorgate” affair.
This is a serious reliability problem concerning the 1.2-liter TCE petrol engine, manufactured between 2012 and 2016 and distributed until 2018. The machine is fitted to around 400,000 vehicles (including 133,000 in France), mainly Renault (Clio 4, Captur, Mégane, Kadjar, Scenic) but also Dacia (Duster, Dokker, Lodgy), Nissan (Juke, Qashqaï 2) and some Mercedes Citan utility vehicles.
The engine fault, known for several years already, leads to overconsumption of oil degrading the parts and even breaking the engine after 65,000 to 120,000 kilometers of use, according to Mr. Lèguevaques. The lawyer relies on the considerable work carried out by the Facebook group “Casse engine” (4,500 members) which has collected testimonies and documents. He considers that there are grounds for criminal prosecution for “Deception” and even “Endangering the life of others”, some sudden breakage of parts having occurred at full speed on the highway.
For its part, Renault admits to having observed an excess consumption of oil on “A small part of the models”. “We did it on a case-by-case basis, says a spokesperson for the brand. If the customers were scrupulous about the maintenance, the assumption of responsibility is total; 90% of customers who sent us requests received full or partial coverage ”.
An unusual and risky procedure
“Renault is doing everything to save time and exhaust the victims in proceedings or expertise,” answers the lawyer. Ultimately, coverage is limited – 60% at best – and, in fact, often paltry. “
Faced with the big business, Mr. Lèguevaques therefore plays the union of the victims in an unusual procedure. The lawyer does not advise filing a complaint with a civil party. “We would have left for at least ten years of proceedings, he emphasizes. My goal is to go fast. ” The path chosen is divided into two stages: first a preliminary summary carried out by the start of the September school year, during which a judge would force Renault to disclose documents and documents, then a direct summons consisting in directly entering the court. correctional officer who will rule.
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