What Is Mis‑Sold Car Finance and How Does It Affect You?

What Is Mis‑Sold Car Finance and How Does It Affect You?

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) deals were widely used in the UK between 2007 and January 2021. However, millions were mis‑sold due to hidden commissions—also known as Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs). Dealers often added undisclosed mark‑ups to increase earnings, meaning customers paid more in interest rates than necessary.

Why “Mis‑Sold Car Finance” Matters

When commission isn’t transparently disclosed, you could be paying 40% more over the life of your agreement—all without knowing it. That’s money that could’ve gone to fuel, insurance, or savings.

Who Is Likely Affected?

  • PCP or HP agreements signed between 2007–2021  
  • Excluding commission disclosure verbally or in writing  
  • Finance agreements missed FCA post‑2021 reforms  

If you fall into this category, you may be eligible to file a car finance claim and reclaim compensation.

How Mis‑Sold Car Finance Works

  1. Deal structure: You agree to a deposit, monthly installments, and sometimes a balloon payment at the end.  
  2. Hidden commission added: Dealer marks up interest secretly to earn more.  
  3. You pay unknowingly: Your total repayment increases.  
  4. Behind-the-scenes profit: The dealer—or broker—receives a bigger cut at your expense.  

This practice was common—until the FCA banned undisclosed commissions on PCP and HP finance from 28 January 2021.

Why You Should Care Now

  • You’ve overpaid—literally.  
  • You’re owed money: average claims range between £500–£1,500.  
  • Simple process: FCA and legal frameworks allow you to reclaim.  

Mis‑selling claims don’t just restore financial fairness—they also hold dealers accountable and protect future consumers.

Claim Management: Quick, Trusted Process

1. Free assessment

Our team uses dedicated tools to search FCA records and find your original PCP/HP agreement.

2. Document gathering

We liaise with lenders and dealers to retrieve your full finance contract, interest schedules, and any commission disclosures.

3. Legal claimant toolkit

We’ve partnered with solicitors experienced in FCA claims who take care of calculations, eligibility, and complaint filing.

4. Compensation calculation

We build a case using accessory software to calculate losses from inflated interest. You get a full breakdown.

5. Submission & negotiation

We file claims with your finance provider and negotiate settlement on your behalf.

6. Payout & support

Once accepted, we process your compensation. We then guide you on post‑claim next steps.

“Thanks to PCPRecovery, I reclaimed £1,120 from a mis‑sold PCP. The team did all the heavy lifting—great outcome!” — Helen, London (Case Study)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What qualifies as mis‑sold car finance? A1: Any PCP or HP agreement with hidden interest commissions, undisclosed verbally or in documentation.

Q2: How much compensation can I expect? £500–£1,500 is typical, depending on your agreement length, interest paid, and overcharge. Our team gives detailed estimates upon evaluation.

Q3: Do I need a solicitor? No—but we partner with FCA‑specialist solicitors to strengthen your case and handle provider negotiations.

Q4: Will a claim affect my credit score? Not at all. You’re simply looking to recover what you’ve been overcharged.

Q5: What if I’ve lost the paperwork? No problem. We can access archived agreements via lenders and FCA records.

Q6: How long does it take? From 6 to 12 weeks, depending on lender responsiveness and whether internal review resolves it.

Key Takeaways

  • Mis‑sold car finance happens when commissions were hidden in PCP/HP deals  
  • You may be due £500–£1,500 in compensation  
  • Claim management agents handle document recovery, calculations, legal submissions, and negotiations  
  • FCA’s 2021 ban protects future buyers—this is your chance to reclaim past losses  

Take control of your car finance history. Claim now or explore our blog pillar on PCP vs HP to make informed future finance decisions.

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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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