A landmark ruling this week could see millions of drivers receive an unexpected bonus on their cars bought more than a decade ago.

A legal battle has been launched against some of the world’s biggest shipping companies, with the claim that they formed a cartel to artificially inflate shipping costs for a nine year-period between 2005 and 2015.

It is estimated that some 17 million vehicles could be affected, with most of the popular car brands involved, meaning if you bought a brand-new Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Peugeot, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Citroen and Renault during the period, then you might land yourself an unexpected windfall.

The European Commission has already ruled that the cartels existed, which means that the hearing at the Competition Appeal Trial in London this week, on behalf of UK consumers and businesses will have many paying attention.

While the shipping companies might be expected to pay £150m in compensation to car buyers, it is thought that that might only work out at £60 per vehicle.

Still, the man who has brought the class action is confident that car buyers have been impacted by the shipping cartel.

“This hearing is a significant milestone in our case that will decide whether UK consumers and businesses affected by the shipping cartels can access justice and receive compensation,” said Mark McLaren.

“I have spent much of my career working in consumer protection and I strongly believe that compensation should be paid when consumers are harmed by such deliberate, unlawful conduct.”

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