I think the implication here is VAG being caught out hence the thread. However others are now being taken to task over similar issues. So nobody is perfect.
Now the argument between diesel and petrol really boils down to running costs especially if you are a high mileage driver like myself. i personally do not have the funds to move closer to where i work hence i live further away in a far more affordable property. My choice. So when the price of fuel was £1.51 per ltr my monthly fuel bill was getting close to £500 a month.
So i hear you say get a smaller car well the answer there will be a resounding NO. I have had a very serious RTA where my car was smashed to bits around me. Myself and two passengers walked out of that intact, badly bruised but intact. My boring Passat saved us from serious injury. We were hit whilst stationary at a minimum of 50mph (the speed limit on that particular road but we do know it would have been higher.)
Now going on from there to one of the choices of car mentioned in one of the replies a BMW Cooper S two of us would have been seriously injured if not killed possibly all three of us. My boring Passat had a huge crumple zone called the boot which took the majority of the impact. The damage to the back of my car sheared the suspension and moved the quarter panels into the rear doors. Cant move for the rear crumple zone on a Bini. One of my lift sharers has one and when there are three of us in it my knees are against the dashboard.
So personally i will stick with diesel VAG cars as my daily and for my toy i will have my mini. So VW got caught out, i don't care about that, i do care about their build quality and safety and so does my family.
AND A WORD OF WARNING keep the name calling out of it otherwise i will remove those comments as per the forum rules.