Motorists and businesses who bought or leased a new car between October 2006 and September 2015 could be entitled to compensation, following claims that five shipping companies conspired to fix the prices they charged for transporting new cars and vans to the UK. An estimated 80 per cent of motorists who purchased a car or van during the above period may have been overcharged as a result of the cartel.

The compensation could arise due to a group legal action that has been filed to the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) under the Consumer Rights Act. The action claims five maritime carriers - MOL, “K” Line, NYK, WWL/EUKOR and CSAV - participated in a cartel the could have seen dealers overcharged for car delivery costs, with these costs passed on to the consumers and businesses who bought cars.

Because the case is being lodged with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, affected buyers are automatically entered into the claim by default, and could receive compensation of up to £60 for every new car or light commercial vehicle bought or leased during the period. The total cost of the claim is estimated to be in excess of £150m.