What Documents You Need to Claim Mis-Sold Car Finance

What Finance Documents Do You Need to Start a Claim?

If you believe your car finance deal was mis-sold—maybe your APR was inflated, hidden fees were added, or the dealer earned undisclosed commission—you’re not alone. Many UK drivers who took out PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) or HP (Hire Purchase) agreements between 2007 and January 2021 can claim compensation. But knowing what finance documents you need is the first critical step.

This guide helps you move forward quickly. We’ll cover:

  1. Why documents matter for mis-sold car finance claims
  2. The essential finance paperwork you should gather
  3. Alternative proof if you lack original documents
  4. Detailed steps to compile that paperwork
  5. Insights into tools and platforms used by claim experts
  6. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
  7. FAQs and “how-to” tips that improve search visibility
  8. A powerful Call-To-Action to get you started

Why Official Documents Are Crucial

When submitting a mis-sold finance claim, accuracy matters. Lenders and regulatory bodies depend on documentation to confirm:

  • Contract details (APR, payment terms)
  • Dealer platforms and broker involvement
  • Evidence of hidden commission or inflated rates
  • Self-managed calculations for overpayment, balloon payments, or admin fees

Missing or incorrect documents can delay or even derail your claim. However, lack of paperwork doesn't mean ineligibility—we’ll explain how recovery experts help you retrieve what’s missing.

Essential Documents You Need to Start

Document

What It Shows

Why It’s Important

Full Finance Contract

APR, term, fees, balloon payment

Core evidence for identifying mis-selling

Credit Agreement Summary

Key APR summary per Consumer Credit Act

Official confirmation of the rate

Payment Schedule

Instalment breakdown

Useful for calculating overpayments

Dealer Invoice

Car details, sale price, optional extras

Verify car value vs final balloon, check added admin fees

Dealer Finance Offer Document

Initial quote

Helps prove the dealer arranged finance vs lender

Completion/Deposit Receipt

Deposit and transaction breakdown

Shows amounts disbursed vs borrowed

Correspondence/Emails

Confirmation of dealer commission policy

Helps identify disclosure or lack thereof

Termination or Settlement Statement

Record if loan ended early

Helps calculate statutory or settlement refunds

What If You Don’t Have All the Paperwork?

Don’t worry—many consumers don’t. Here's how PCP Recovery simplifies your claim:

  1. Lender Retrieval: Using Vehicle Registration or loan reference, we request a full copy of your agreement from the lender.
  2. Dealer Archive Search: Our network can trace dealer agreements—legal backup when finance arrangements are unclear.
  3. Digital Statements: Online lender account documents are valid alternatives when originals are missing.
  4. Statutory Statements: Credit agreements often include statutory sections required under UK law—these are critical for APR verification.

Step-by-Step: How to Gather the Documents

1. Search Your Home

Start with your glovebox, home filing folders, and email inbox. Look for “Finance Agreement,” “FX12345,” or lender names (e.g., Oodle, Santander).

2. Check Online Accounts

Lenders often provide summaries via customer portals. You can download these statements and they count as official proof.

3. Contact Your Lender

Don’t know which lender financed your deal? We can trace that using the car’s registration number and simple personal info.

4. Speak to the Dealer (If Available)

Even if the dealership closed, archived documents may still be recovered. Dealers licensed before 2021 were required to retain agreements.

5. Let PCP Recovery Handle It

We’ll formally request every document you need. You don’t need to stress about records or deadlines.

Tools Used by Experts During Claims

  • FCA-approved Interest Calculators – For accurate overpayment figures
  • Secure Document Portals – No scanning or uploading from your side
  • Commission Detection Software – Spots undisclosed earnings
  • FCA-aligned Complaint Templates – Ensures proper formatting and citations
  • Client Dashboard – Track your documents, claim progress, and communications

These tools ensure your documents are admissible, accurate, and used effectively.

Common Document Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Incomplete Contract
Sometimes contracts omit APR or final payment details. Request the lender to send the full original instrument and prelender rate breakdown.

Mismatched Figures
Ensure invoices match finance schedule. Discrepancies can delay claims. If needed, request an itemised invoice from your dealer or the lender.

Unsigned Documents
Unsigned or incomplete forms may reduce credibility. Get a fully signed copy from your lender.

Digital-Only Agreements
Digital statements are acceptable—but ensure they include all pages and names. PDFs with readable font and header details help.

How-To: Check Your Readiness

  1. Compile all documents into a folder or zip file
  2. Use our secure portal to upload each document (or send originals)
  3. We’ll cross-check items like APR, admin/ dealer/invoice inclusion
  4. We upload and index documents to your claim file
  5. Use portal features to track lender requests and your claim’s status

Our dashboard also highlights missing documents in real time—so you're never in the dark.

Conclusion

Mis-sold car finance has cost UK motorists millions. Proper documentation confirms your eligibility and accelerates recovery. Don’t let misplaced paperwork stand between you and your compensation. Gather your finance documents—or let PCP Recovery retrieve and manage them—and reclaim what’s rightfully yours.

FAQs: Boosting SERP Visibility

Q: What if I’ve lost my finance agreement?
A: We retrieve it from the lender using minimal details—usually vehicle reg and name.

Q: Can I use emails instead?
A: Yes, only if they show APR, payment terms, or admin fees—but we still recommend the full credit agreement.

Q: Do I need the dealer’s paperwork?
A: Helpful, not mandatory. Lender documents can substitute, but dealer invoices confirm car value and admin charges.

Q: What if I settled early?
A: The settlement statement shows remaining balance and early-exit fees—crucial for calculating statutory refunds.

Q: Can I start a claim without documents?
A: Yes. We initiate retrieval first, then assess eligibility once we have paperwork.

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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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