Car Finance Claims: Are You Owed Thousands in Compensation?

Car Finance Claims: Are You Owed Thousands in Compensation?

Car finance has been one of the most common ways for people in the UK to purchase a vehicle. However, many drivers are now discovering they may have been misled into unfair agreements  and could be entitled to compensation. If you took out a vehicle finance deal between 2007 and 2021, you could be eligible for car finance claims worth thousands of pounds.

In this blog, we'll break down what car finance claims are, how mis-selling occurred, and how you can check if you're owed a refund. Don’t miss your opportunity to claim what’s rightfully yours.

What Are Car Finance Claims?

Car finance claims refer to legal compensation claims made by customers who were mis-sold car finance agreements. This includes both Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements where lenders or dealers:

  • Failed to explain the full cost of the agreement,
  • Did not disclose commission payments,
  • Offered unfair interest rates,
  • Or used misleading sales tactics.

In many cases, customers agreed to finance terms without understanding the long-term financial burden, making them eligible for a car finance claim.

How Mis-Sold Car Finance Happened

Between 2007 and 2021, UK car dealerships and lenders often failed to inform customers of key details about their finance agreements. The most common mis-selling tactics included:

  • Non-disclosure of commissions: Many lenders paid dealerships a commission based on the interest rate charged to the customer. The higher the rate, the more the dealer earned — but customers were rarely informed of this.
  • Lack of transparency: Terms were not clearly explained, especially regarding balloon payments at the end of PCP agreements or mileage restrictions.
  • Unfair interest rates: Two customers with the same credit rating might receive very different rates depending on the dealership’s profit motives.

This lack of clarity has led to a surge in car finance claims across the UK.

Who Is Eligible for Car Finance Claims?

You might be eligible for car finance claims if:

  • You took out a PCP or HP agreement between 2007 and 2021
  • The dealer or finance company failed to disclose commission structures
  • You were not fully informed of interest rates or key terms
  • You felt pressured into signing the agreement
  • The finance deal was unsuitable for your financial circumstances

Even if you’ve already paid off the loan or sold the car, you may still be able to make a car finance claim today.

Average Payouts from Car Finance Claims

One of the most common questions is: how much compensation can I get? The answer varies depending on the agreement and how the mis-selling occurred.

However, some UK customers have recovered:

  • £1,000 to £5,000 in refunds,
  • Others received interest reimbursements,
  • In some cases, total refunds were over £10,000 depending on vehicle value and finance terms.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is currently reviewing historic cases, which makes car finance claims a pressing issue for thousands of people across the UK.

How to Start a Car Finance Claim

Making a claim is easier than many people think. Here's how to begin:

  1. Gather your paperwork: Find any documents related to your car finance agreement – even if it’s now paid off.
  2. Check for signs of mis-selling: Were you told about commission? Were the interest rates explained clearly?
  3. Contact a car finance claims expert: Many claims management companies can assess your case for free.
  4. File your claim: This can be done directly through the finance company or via the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Remember, time limits may apply — so acting quickly is important when it comes to car finance claims.

Can You Claim Without Documents?

Yes, in many cases you can. If you no longer have the original agreement, the finance provider or dealership may still hold your data. Claims specialists often help recover these documents and can still file a valid car finance claim on your behalf.

So, don’t let lost paperwork stop you from checking your eligibility.

Car Finance Claims vs. PPI Claims – What’s the Difference?

Although car finance claims and PPI claims are separate, they are similar in nature. Both involve financial products that were mis-sold to customers without proper disclosure.

The key difference is:

  • PPI was about insurance on loans and credit cards.
  • Car finance claims focus on hidden commissions and unfair lending practices in vehicle financing.

With PPI now mostly closed, car finance claims are the next big consumer rights issue in the UK.

Real Stories: UK Drivers Winning Compensation

Thousands of UK drivers have successfully made car finance claims in recent years. For example:

  • John from Manchester recovered £3,200 after his dealer failed to disclose high-interest commissions on a PCP deal.
  • Samantha in Birmingham was refunded £5,000 after discovering her HP agreement was not properly explained.

These real-world results show that making a car finance claim can be a legitimate way to recover unfair losses.

Why You Should Act Now

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken action to protect consumers, but many people still don’t realise they were mis-sold finance. As awareness grows, the number of car finance claims continues to rise.

With potential payouts in the thousands, this could be your chance to take back control of your money and hold lenders accountable.

Final Thoughts

If you bought a car in the UK between 2007 and 2021 using PCP or HP finance, and the terms weren’t clearly explained — or you were unaware of hidden commissions — you might be owed thousands in compensation.

Filing car finance claims is not just about money — it’s about fairness and transparency. Don’t wait until it's too late. Check your eligibility today and see what you could be owed.

 

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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.

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