A Beginner’s Guide to Car Finance Compensation Claims

A Beginner’s Guide to Car Finance Compensation Claims

For many UK drivers, car finance has been a convenient way to spread the cost of owning a vehicle. Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) have become popular financing options for both new and used cars. However, thousands of customers have unknowingly entered into unfair agreements due to misleading sales tactics, hidden commissions, and inflated interest rates. If you think you may have been affected, this beginner’s guide to car finance compensation claims will help you understand what’s involved, what to look for, and how to start your claim.

At PCP Recovery, we specialise in missold car finance compensation claims. Our no-win, no-fee service helps drivers recover overpaid interest and fees from car finance agreements that were not properly explained or fairly sold. Whether you’re still paying off your agreement or you completed it years ago, you may be entitled to a refund.

What Is Car Finance Mis-Selling?

Car finance mis-selling occurs when a finance agreement is sold without full disclosure, proper assessment of suitability, or with unfair terms that favour the dealership or lender. The most common cases of mis-selling involve undisclosed commissions, excessive interest rates, or lack of explanation regarding repayment obligations.

Common signs of mis-selling include:

  • The dealer did not inform you they would receive a commission from the lender.
  • You were not offered or made aware of better finance alternatives.
  • The interest rate was higher than expected or unjustified by your credit history.
  • You felt pressured into accepting the finance deal quickly.
  • You didn’t fully understand the agreement terms, such as balloon payments or mileage limits.

If any of these sound familiar, you might have been mis-sold car finance and could be eligible to make a claim.

Why Is PCP at the Centre of the Scandal?

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) became the most popular finance option for car buyers in the UK. With low monthly payments and an option to purchase the car at the end, it appealed to customers looking for flexibility. However, this structure also allowed dealers to manipulate interest rates, thanks to discretionary commission arrangements.

Under this system, dealerships could increase your interest rate and receive a higher commission as a result—without informing you. These incentives created a conflict of interest, where customers ended up paying more for the benefit of the seller.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned these arrangements in 2021, but millions of agreements were made before this reform. If you signed a PCP or HP agreement between 2007 and 2020, there’s a strong chance you may have been affected.

The Role of the FCA in Protecting Consumers

The FCA is the UK’s financial regulator. It introduced several important changes to protect car finance customers:

  • Banned discretionary commissions as of January 2021.
  • Enforced stricter rules on affordability assessments.
  • Required transparent commission disclosure.
  • Strengthened consumer rights to raise complaints and claims.

These regulations significantly reduced the risk of new mis-selling cases. However, they do not apply retroactively—meaning that any agreement signed before 2021 is still subject to scrutiny and potential redress.

Who Can Make a Car Finance Compensation Claim?

You may be eligible to claim compensation if:

  • You financed a car using PCP or HP between 2007 and 2020.
  • You weren’t told that the dealer or broker would earn a commission.
  • The interest rate seemed unusually high.
  • The agreement wasn’t properly explained to you.
  • You didn’t receive adequate alternatives or comparisons.

It doesn’t matter whether:

  • The finance agreement is paid off.
  • You’ve sold the vehicle.
  • You no longer have the paperwork (we can retrieve it).

Thousands of people across the UK are successfully claiming back what they’re owed—often in the range of £1,000 to £5,000.

How the Car Finance Claim Process Works

At PCP Recovery, we’ve streamlined the claim process so it’s simple and stress-free—even for beginners. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Use our free online claim checker. Enter a few basic details such as the make of your car, the year of the agreement, and the finance provider.

Step 2: Submit Your Claim Information

Once you pass the initial check, we’ll collect a few more details securely. If you don’t have your finance documents, we’ll contact the lender and request them on your behalf.

Step 3: We Investigate the Agreement

Our team of experts will examine your finance agreement for signs of mis-selling. We look for commission evidence, interest rate anomalies, and gaps in explanation or suitability checks.

Step 4: We File Your Claim

We send your claim directly to the finance provider. If necessary, we escalate the case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to ensure a fair resolution.

Step 5: You Receive Compensation

If your claim is successful, you’ll receive a tax-free refund. We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you only pay if your claim is successful.

Benefits of Claiming Through PCP Recovery

  • No upfront costs
  • Quick, hassle-free claim process
  • Expert claim managers
  • Secure document handling
  • High success rate with real customer support

We also provide you with regular updates via email or your personal dashboard so you’re never left in the dark.

Real Case Study: Hannah’s Claim Success

Hannah financed a 2017 BMW through a dealership in Manchester. She had good credit but was charged an interest rate of 11.2%. She wasn’t told about any commission and was rushed through the paperwork. After contacting PCP Recovery, our team discovered a discretionary commission model embedded in her agreement. Within 9 weeks, Hannah received £3,500 in compensation—no court, no stress, and no upfront costs.

This case is one of thousands that highlight how widespread and damaging the mis-selling issue was.

How to Avoid Future Mis-Selling

If you’re currently considering a car finance deal, protect yourself with the following checklist:

  • Ask about commission disclosure upfront.
  • Request comparisons between PCP, HP, and other finance products.
  • Read the full agreement—including the total repayable amount.
  • Check if interest rates match your credit profile.
  • Understand the balloon payment and mileage restrictions in PCP deals.
  • Always keep copies of your paperwork.

Knowing your rights and responsibilities is the first step to avoiding financial traps in the future.

Final Thoughts and CTA

Being mis-sold a car finance agreement can leave you feeling frustrated, confused, and financially strained. But you don’t have to accept it. With the right support, you can reclaim overpaid interest, hold lenders accountable, and get the justice you deserve.

At PCP Recovery, we make the process easy—even if you’ve never filed a claim before. Thousands of customers have already won back compensation, and you could be next.

Visit pcprecovery.co.uk to begin your free claim check today.
No jargon. No hidden fees. Just fair results for people like you.

Take control of your finances—reclaim what’s rightfully yours.

FAQs: Car Finance Compensation Claims

What if I don’t have my finance agreement?
We can usually obtain your agreement directly from your lender with your consent.

How much compensation can I get?
It depends on how much interest you overpaid and the length of your agreement. Most refunds range from £1,000 to £5,000.

How long does it take to receive compensation?
Most claims are resolved within 8 to 16 weeks, though more complex cases can take longer.

Will this affect my credit score?
No. Making a compensation claim will not impact your credit file or borrowing ability.

Can I claim if I’ve already paid off the finance?
Yes. The claim relates to how the agreement was sold, not whether it’s still active.

Is there a time limit for claiming?
There is no hard time limit yet, but the sooner you start, the better your chance of success and data availability.

 

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Note: Your personal information will be handled with the utmost care in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Our legal team, operating under the trading name of PCP Recovery, may contact you regarding potential claim opportunities using the contact information you have provided. You may opt out of receiving further communications from us at any time by emailing info@pcprecovery.co.uk.

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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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