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Last reviewed: June 2026 · For use in England & Wales · eLitigant is a Community Interest Company (No. 16566612), not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
Quick answer
If you took out car finance (PCP or HP) between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, you may be owed compensation if you weren’t told about the commission paid to the dealer. The FCA estimates ~12.1 million agreements are eligible. You can check and claim yourself, for free.
Last reviewed: 25 June 2026 · England & Wales · The FCA motor-finance redress scheme is subject to ongoing legal challenge — check the FCA page for the latest.
If you bought a car on finance in the last 17 years, there’s a real chance you were overcharged through hidden commission — and you may be owed money under the FCA’s redress scheme. Here’s how to tell if you qualify, without paying anyone a penny.
When you might have a claim
You may be eligible if your agreement fell in the window 6 April 2007 – 1 November 2024 and you weren’t told about at least one of these:
- A Discretionary Commission Arrangement (DCA) — where the dealer could raise your interest rate to earn more commission;
- A high commission arrangement (broadly, commission of 39%+ of the total cost of credit and 10%+ of the loan);
- A contractual tie giving the lender exclusivity or first refusal.
It applies to PCP and Hire Purchase (HP) car finance. Personal loans used to buy a car are treated differently.
How to check — for free
- Dig out your finance agreement (lender, dealer, date, APR, loan amount).
- No longer have it? Send the lender a free Data Subject Access Request (SAR) to get your records and commission details.
- Complain directly to the lender, or wait to be contacted under the FCA scheme — see our deadline guide.
You do not need a claims company to check or claim. The FCA itself says claiming direct is free.
Official sources
- FCA — Car finance complaints
- FCA — Using claims management companies (the up-to-36% warning)
- Financial Ombudsman — Car finance commission complaints
A claims firm can take up to 36% of your car-finance payout.
On a complaint the FCA says is free to make yourself. Chris drafts it from your agreement details — you send it, you keep 100%.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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