Turning back attempts to change the final terms of the Dieselgate class-action suit settlement, Judge Charles Breyer Tuesday gave thumbs up to the final agreement. The decision clears away the last obstacles keeping owners of Volkswagen turbodiesel vehicles, caught up in the automaker’s self-inflicted emissions cheating scandal, from having their vehicles repurchased as early as next month – November — by the automaker. In total, VW will pay up to $16.5 billion in connection with the scandal. The funds include payments to dealers, states and attorneys for owners.

’Immediate Settlement Preferable’

Judge Breyer said, in his opinion granting the approval, “given the risks of prolonged litigation, the immediate settlement of this matter is far preferable.” He told the court that the agreement, as negotiated, “adequately and fairly” pays owners. The agreement is the largest civil settlement reached with an automaker accused of misconduct.

This means that beginning now Volkswagen turbodiesel owners can begin the process of obtaining their settlements. Owners of eligible vehicles can either submit a paper-based claim form or they can an online portal, www.vwcourtsettlement.com. The paper form is available for printout from the same website. Owners can also call 844-98-CLAIM to obtain the paper form.

Owners will be able to choose the buyback or lease termination. Or, they may opt to have their vehicle repaired “if and when it (a repair plan) becomes available,” the automaker said Tuesday.

Once a customer’s claim is approved, the customer can then schedule an appointment with a settlement specialist, located at VW dealerships. They will take care of walking the customer through obtaining payment. VW has promised cash payouts to current and former owners and lessees of turbodiesels.

To handle the expected influx of owners, VW has hired 900 people. They will be stationed at all Volkswagen dealerships. Jeannine Ginivan, a spokesman for the automaker, said the automaker expects to begin buybacks in mid-November. About 340,000 VW owners have signed up for the settlement plan. Only 3,500 have opted out.

Two Years To Pay Up

Under the settlement, Volkswagen has to fix, or buy back, 85 percent of the 475,000 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel vehicles that are eligible for the program within two years or the automaker will face additional costs.

In a statement, Hinrich J. Woebcken, VW chief executive, said “Final approval of the 2.0-liter TDI (turbodiesel) is an important milestone in our journey to making things right in the United States … Volkswagen is committed to ensuring that the program is now carried out as seamlessly as possible for our affected customers” devoting “significant resources and personnel in making their experience a positive one.”