VOLKSWAGEN’S disregard for public health in pursuit of profit and market dominance has been exposed in a damning High Court ruling, lawyers representing thousands of motorists said today.

About 90,000 motorists who bought or leased VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda diesel vehicles took legal action for compensation following revelations about the “dieselgate” emissions scandal five years ago.

Their lawyers say that VW cheated European emissions standards designed to save lives.