Can You Claim Compensation for Mis-Sold Car Finance?

Can You Claim Compensation for Mis-Sold Car Finance?

If you financed a car in the UK using a PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) or HP (Hire Purchase) agreement between 2007 and January 2021, there's a high chance you could be eligible for compensation. Why? Because millions of consumers were unknowingly subjected to hidden commission schemes known as Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs). These schemes allowed dealers and brokers to increase your interest rate without your consent—all to earn extra commission. The result? You likely paid more than necessary, sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

So, can you claim compensation for mis-sold car finance? In short—yes, you can. If your agreement was structured unfairly, lacked transparency, or included undisclosed fees and markups, you're potentially entitled to a refund. This guide explains everything you need to know: how to spot mis-selling, determine your eligibility, make a claim, and decide whether to go it alone or work with experts.

What Is Mis-Sold Car Finance?

Mis-selling occurs when a financial product is recommended or sold in a way that’s unfair, misleading, or lacking in critical information. In the context of car finance, this has become a widespread issue. For years, dealerships and brokers across the UK arranged finance deals with little to no transparency—leaving customers unaware of how commissions influenced the interest rates they were offered.

Here’s how mis-selling typically happened:

  • Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs): Dealers were free to increase your APR. The higher they set it, the more commission they earned. But this was rarely disclosed to you.
  • Inflated Balloon Payments: PCP agreements often featured unrealistic final payments to make monthly instalments look cheaper, misleading you about the total cost.
  • Excessive Admin or Broker Fees: Additional fees were often tacked on without a clear explanation or justification.
  • Front-Loaded Interest: You paid a disproportionate amount of interest in the early months, making early termination or switching options unnecessarily expensive.

If you were not informed of any of these aspects, or if key information was missing at the point of agreement, you may have a valid case for mis-sold finance.

How to Know If You’re Eligible

You don’t need to be a financial expert to figure out if you’ve been mis-sold. Here are the key signs:

  • You took out a PCP or HP agreement between 2007 and January 2021.
  • The finance was arranged through a dealership or broker.
  • You were not informed that the dealer would receive a commission.
  • The interest rate (APR) felt high or wasn’t explained.
  • The agreement included vague admin charges or balloon payments.
  • You were pressured to sign quickly or told this was the only finance option available.
     

Even if the deal "felt normal" at the time, many consumers only realise later that they had options—or that they were manipulated by hidden incentives.

If you identify with even one of the points above, it's worth checking your eligibility.

How to Make a Claim: Step-by-Step Guide

You can file a car finance claim either on your own or through expert help. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Start with a free eligibility check. Sites like PCPRecovery.co.uk offer online tools where you enter basic details such as your name, the vehicle’s make and model, and the year you financed it. Within minutes, you’ll know if your case meets the criteria.

Step 2: Retrieve Documentation

Next, gather your finance agreement documents. If you can’t locate them, don’t worry—claims specialists can request a copy directly from your lender using just your name and registration number.

Step 3: Analyse the Deal

Experts will review your APR and compare it with historical base rates and typical commissions during that period. They will identify if your agreement was unfairly loaded with interest, fees, or commissions.

Step 4: Submit a Complaint

An FCA-compliant complaint is then drafted and submitted to the lender. This includes a breakdown of how you were misled or overcharged, and requests a refund of overpayments plus interest.

Step 5: Wait for the Outcome

Most lenders respond within 8–12 weeks. If they accept responsibility, they’ll offer compensation. If they reject the claim, you can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Step 6: Receive Compensation

Once approved, compensation is usually paid directly into your account. You only pay a success fee (if applicable) after the refund has been issued.

How Much Could You Claim?

While outcomes vary, the typical compensation amounts are:

  • Standard PCP Agreement: £800–£1,800
  • HP Agreement with High APR: £500–£1,200
  • Multiple Agreements or High-Value Cars: £1,500–£3,500+

Additionally, claimants are often awarded 8% statutory interest, which can significantly increase the total amount received.

Some customers also recover admin fees, early exit fees, or balloon payment overcharges. If your agreement included more than one mis-selling element, your payout could be even higher.

DIY vs. Working with Experts

DIY Claims

If you're confident handling paperwork, research, and negotiation, a DIY approach could work. But be prepared to:

  • Locate or request finance agreements
  • Research typical interest rates and commission levels
  • Draft formal complaint letters using FCA language
  • Monitor claim progress and correspondence
  • Escalate to the Ombudsman if necessary

While this route avoids fees, it can be time-consuming and overwhelming—especially if you're juggling work or personal responsibilities.

Expert Assistance

Partnering with a specialist claims firm such as PCPRecovery.co.uk comes with several benefits:

  • Access to historical finance data
  • Automated document retrieval tools
  • Experienced claims handlers
  • FCA-compliant complaint formats
  • No win, no fee arrangements
  • Higher success rates

Experts often recover more money faster, with less effort required on your part. This is especially useful for people with multiple agreements or limited documentation.

FAQs About Mis-Sold Car Finance

Q: I no longer own the car. Can I still claim?
Yes. Compensation is tied to the finance terms, not car ownership. Even if the car has been sold or returned, your right to claim remains.

Q: What if I don’t have the original paperwork?
You can still make a claim. Specialists can retrieve agreements from the lender using your personal and vehicle details.

Q: Will making a claim affect my credit score?
No. This is a complaint process, not a new credit application. It has no impact on your credit rating.

Q: How long does a claim take?
On average, most cases resolve within 6–12 weeks. Complex cases or appeals can take longer.

Q: What if the dealership or broker no longer exists?
Lenders are responsible for resolving complaints—even if the dealer has closed down.

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By pressing the “Submit and Verify My Claim” button, I confirm that I have had a vehicle on finance and that I was not aware of any commission payment being made to the dealer. I have read and agree to PCP Recovery’s terms and conditions and Privacy Policy.

I understand that in order to verify my eligibility a soft credit check will be performed through our provider, Valid8 Ltd or Valifi Ltd, which will not affect my credit score. I consent to PCP Recovery Solicitors sending a Letter of Complaint to the lenders to determine if my agreements were mis-sold and to present my claim. PCP Recovery has been provided with a copy of your electronic signature which will be applied to the Terms and Conditions and Letter of Authority. You also consent for your electronic signature being used on a Financial Ombudsman Service complaint form, if necessary.

Claim up to £5,318.25* per agreement .

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