How UK Dealers Inflated Your Car Loan Interest Without You Knowing

How UK Dealers Inflated Your Car Loan Interest Without You Knowing

Car ownership is a major financial decision — one that many consumers in the UK trusted dealerships to guide them through. But from 2007 to 2021, millions unknowingly entered into car finance agreements where interest rates were secretly inflated. Why? Because dealerships were earning hidden commissions for doing so.

If you financed a car with a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP) during that period, there’s a good chance your dealer increased your interest rate purely for profit — not because you were a riskier borrower. In many cases, this was never disclosed to the customer.

This practice has been banned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) — and it’s now at the centre of one of the biggest consumer finance scandals in the UK.

Let’s break down how it worked, how it impacted you, and — most importantly — how to claim your money back.

What Was the Hidden Commission Scheme?

The practice was called a Discretionary Commission Arrangement (DCA). Here's how it worked:

  1. A lender would offer a base interest rate to the dealership, e.g., 5% APR.
  2. The dealership could then increase the APR to whatever rate they wanted — say 9.5%.
  3. The dealer kept the difference (4.5%) as commission.
  4. You paid thousands more in interest — without even knowing.

This gave dealers a powerful incentive to maximize your interest rate, not give you a good deal. These deals were often mis-sold without clearly informing buyers about the commission structure — violating transparency rules.

What the FCA Found — and Why It Matters

In 2021, the FCA banned DCAs after a thorough investigation. Their findings were alarming:

  • 40% of car finance agreements between 2007 and 2021 may have used DCAs.
  • Customers were unaware of these inflated rates.
  • Dealers had conflicts of interest that directly harmed consumers.
  • Some borrowers overpaid by £1,000 to £3,000 over the loan term.

The ban came into effect on January 28, 2021, but if your agreement was signed before that date — you could still be entitled to compensation.

Signs You Overpaid on Your Car Finance

You might not have realised it at the time, but here are common signs your agreement could have involved a hidden commission:

  • You had a high APR despite a good credit score.
  • The dealership arranged your finance, not a bank or online platform.
  • You weren’t told about dealer commissions.
  • You had a PCP or HP agreement between 2007 and January 2021.

Even if you no longer have the car or the paperwork, you may still be able to file a claim.

Jane’s Story: How One Claim Recovered £2,100

Jane, a teacher from Birmingham, purchased a 2016 Ford Focus on PCP in 2018. She paid an APR of 9.9%, despite having a strong credit profile.

After learning about DCA claims through PCPRecovery.co.uk, she filed a claim with our team. We obtained her original agreement, analysed the structure, and confirmed a dealer-inflated interest rate.

Jane received £2,100 in compensation within 12 weeks — a refund of the overpaid interest, plus interest.

She never knew the dealer earned more by pushing up her APR — but now, she’s got that money back.

How the Claim Process Works

At PCP Recovery, we make it simple and risk-free.

Step 1: Free Eligibility Check

Answer a few quick questions on our website. No documents needed.

Step 2: We Retrieve Your Finance Agreement

We contact your lender to access the original agreement and terms.

Step 3: Expert Assessment

Our finance specialists identify hidden commissions and inflated interest rates.

Step 4: File a Formal Complaint

We prepare and submit a formal complaint to your lender, seeking compensation.

Step 5: You Get Paid

If your claim is successful, your refund is transferred directly to your bank.

No win, no fee. You only pay us a small success fee if you win your claim.

Why This Was So Harmful

This wasn’t just about bad customer service. The harm was real and widespread.

Financial Impact

Inflated APRs cost consumers hundreds or even thousands over a 3–5 year loan term.

Unfair Advantage

Dealerships took advantage of buyers who trusted them — often targeting those with less financial literacy.

Lack of Transparency

Buyers were denied the opportunity to shop around or negotiate — all because key details were hidden.

Tools & Platforms That Help Us Detect Mis-Selling

At PCP Recovery, we use cutting-edge tools to investigate your agreements:

  • Automated lender database access
  • Contract analysis algorithms
  • FCA-compliant documentation workflows
  • Secure case tracking platform

You don’t need to dig up paperwork — we’ll do the heavy lifting.

Final Thoughts

For over a decade, UK drivers were quietly overcharged through inflated interest rates — all to pad the pockets of dealerships.

The FCA stepped in and banned this unethical practice in 2021. But if you financed your vehicle before then, you may still be entitled to justice — and a refund.

At PCP Recovery, we’ve helped thousands uncover mis-selling and reclaim what they’re owed. Let us help you too.

FAQs: Hidden Commission in Car Finance

Q1: Can I claim if I no longer have the car?
Yes! Your claim is based on the finance agreement, not the car.

Q2: What if I don’t have paperwork?
No problem. We retrieve the documents from your lender.

Q3: Will this hurt my credit score?
Not at all. This is a complaint process, not a loan or default.

Q4: How long does the process take?
Typically 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the lender’s response.

Q5: How much can I claim?
Most consumers receive between £500 and £3,000.

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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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