Why Car Finance Deals from 2007–2021 Could Be Illegal

Why Car Finance Deals from 2007–2021 Could Be Illegal

Between 2007 and January 2021, millions of UK car buyers entered into Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements without knowing they were potentially being misled or overcharged.

The reason? A practice known as Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs)—which allowed brokers and car dealers to secretly increase interest rates for personal gain. This practice was so widespread that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) officially banned it in January 2021.

If your car finance deal was structured using a DCA, you may have been mis-sold, and your agreement could be legally unenforceable or subject to compensation. In this guide, we break down the facts—and how PCP Recovery can help you reclaim what you're owed.

What Are Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs)?

DCAs gave car dealers the power to adjust your interest rate when arranging finance. The higher the rate, the more commission the dealer earned from the lender.

The problem? This was rarely disclosed. You were likely told your interest rate was “fixed” or “standard”—but in reality, it was inflated to boost the dealer’s profit.

This hidden practice often resulted in consumers:

  • Paying £500 to £2,000+ more in interest
  • Not understanding the true cost of the loan
  • Being denied the ability to make informed decisions

The FCA Ban: What Changed in 2021?

In January 2021, the FCA prohibited the use of DCAs in motor finance. They called the practice:

  • Unfair to consumers
  • Opaque, with a lack of transparency
  • A systemic issue across the car finance industry

The FCA now mandates that brokers and lenders:

  • Cannot link commissions to the interest rate
  • Must disclose any commission arrangements
  • Must treat customers fairly and clearly

But that only covers new agreements from 2021 onward.

What about the 13+ years of past finance deals?

That’s where the problem—and the opportunity—lies.

Why Car Finance Deals from 2007–2021 May Be Illegal

The central issue is non-disclosure. Under UK consumer law, finance agreements must:

  • Be explained clearly
  • Avoid misleading or unfair terms
  • Not conceal material information, such as commission payments

If your broker or dealer didn’t tell you that:

  • They were earning commission
  • They had the ability to adjust your interest rate
  • Your rate was higher than necessary for their benefit

…then your finance agreement could be legally classed as mis-sold.

And mis-sold car finance is grounds for financial redress, just like PPI was a decade ago.

Real Example: How Overpayment Happens

Let’s say you financed a £15,000 car in 2016 with a 48-month PCP.

  • Standard APR: 6%
  • Dealer-inflated APR: 10% (via DCA)
  • Monthly payment difference: ~£40/month
  • Total overpaid: ~£1,920

Now multiply that across 40% of agreements in the UK between 2007–2021.

FCA data suggests billions of pounds in overpaid interest may be owed to consumers.

How to Know If You Were Affected

You may have a mis-sold car finance claim if:

  • You took out PCP or HP between 2007 and Jan 2021
  • You were not told about commission or interest markup
  • Your interest rate seemed unusually high
  • You weren’t offered alternative rates or fair explanations
  • You’ve already paid off the agreement or are still paying

Even if you’ve lost the car or paperwork, we can help you recover the agreement and pursue a claim.

How PCP Recovery Makes It Easy to Claim

We’ve built a streamlined claim management service to help people like you uncover the truth behind their finance agreements and recover overpaid interest.

Step-by-Step Workflow

  1. Free Eligibility Check
    Use our Free Claim Checker to see if you qualify—no documents needed.
  2. Locate Your Finance Agreement
    We retrieve your contract from the lender using your name, address, or car details.
  3. Audit the Agreement
    We examine whether your interest was inflated and if commission was hidden.
  4. Build the Case
    Our legal partners prepare the claim and engage with the lender or broker.
  5. Compensation Paid
    If successful, your refund is paid directly to you. Our service is no win, no fee.

Case Study: Anthony’s Hidden Commission Refund

“I financed a car in 2015 and paid over £275/month. The dealer said it was the standard rate. PCP Recovery showed that they added a 3% markup—and helped me claim back £1,280 in overpaid interest. All I had to do was confirm my name and address.”

 

Final Word: Reclaim What You’re Owed

If you took out car finance between 2007 and 2021, you might have overpaid—without ever knowing. Dealers and brokers profited from your interest rate, often without disclosure.

Thanks to the FCA’s action, you now have a right to claim back what you were charged unfairly. And at PCP Recovery, we’ll handle the entire process on your behalf—with no upfront cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a Discretionary Commission Arrangement?
A: A DCA allows brokers to increase your interest rate in exchange for higher commission—without telling you.

Q: How do I know if my deal had a DCA?
A: Most people don’t. We analyze your finance agreement to identify inflated interest or non-disclosure.

Q: Can I claim if I’ve already paid off the agreement?
A: Yes, as long as it was between 2007 and Jan 2021.

Q: What if I no longer have paperwork?
A: We work with lenders to recover your documents. Just provide basic information.

Q: How much can I claim?
A: Most claims range from £500–£2,000, depending on loan size and overpaid interest.

Q: Will this affect my credit score?
A: No. It’s a legal redress claim, not a credit application.

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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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