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Financial Fairness For All

Mis-Sold Car Finance

If you financed a vehicle between 2007 and 2021 you may be eligible for a refund worth thousands. 

Do you think you were mis-sold on your PCP or HP finance agreement? Recent rulings by the Financial Ombudsman mean motorists may be able to make a PCP claim for unfair sales commission and unfair interest rates.

Please Note

 

For PCP mis-selling claims you do not need to use a law firm or a claims management company to make your complaint to your provider, you may be able do this yourself for free. If your complaint is not successful you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service yourself for free. You must lodge a complaint to the lender first before it can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Regulatory Intervention

Steps Taken By The FCA

FCA bans Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs)

The regulator outlawed commission-based interest rate hikes used by brokers or dealers to boost earnings without informing customers.

Jan 2021
Formal Investigation Opened

FCA opens formal investigation into mis-selling in motor-finance deals (2007–2021), pausing firms’ obligation to respond to complaints until September 2024.

Jan 2024
Court Of Appeal Rules

Court of Appeal rules in favour of consumers. Dealers were found to be acting unlawfully if they received commissions—disclosed or not—without informed customer consent.

Oct 2024
FCA Extends Deadlines

FCA extends complaint and Ombudsman deadlines. Complaint responses extended to 4 December 2025, and Ombudsman referrals to 29 July 2026 (or 15 months post-response, whichever is later).

Dec 2024
High Court Rejection

High Court rejects Barclays’ challenge to Ombudsman ruling. In a case where Barclays was ordered to pay £1,327 for mis-selling a car loan, their attempt to overturn the Financial Ombudsman Service’s decision was dismissed on all grounds.

Dec 2024
Supreme Court Hearing

Supreme Court hearing on car-finance test cases. The UK’s highest court heard appeals in key test cases (Johnson, Wrench, and Hopcraft) against the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

April 2025
Judgement Delivered

Supreme Court delivers landmark judgment. The court largely overturned the lower court’s ruling—declaring that dealers did not owe a fiduciary duty to customers—significantly narrowing the industry’s exposure.

Aug 2025
FCA Press Release

FCA issues press release on upcoming redress consultation. Following the judgment, the FCA confirmed plans for a consultation on an industry-wide redress scheme, estimating costs between £9 billion and £18 billion, with consultation launching by October and payouts expected to begin in 2026.

Aug 2025
Do you think you've been mis-sold?

We offer a free check for all UK consumers to identify any agreements that contain discretionary commissions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim for free?

Olton Alexander is a Claims Management Company. You do not need to use a Claims Management Company to make a complaint. You can complain to the lender, and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service yourself for free.

There are however many benefits of choosing us to handle your claim. We will manage all communication with your lender, working closely with them to ensure that you receive a fair level of compensation. If your lender encounters any difficulties in locating your details, we will assist them to enable your claim to proceed. After you register with us, you can simply sit back and relax while we handle everything, keeping you updated via email throughout the process.

How much will I get, if my agreement was mis-sold?

If you are among one of the millions potentially affected, the compensation you may receive will depend on factors including the interest rate applied to your specific finance agreement, the total amount paid, and the duration of the contract as well as other factors that will be released by the FCA later.

When will I be paid, if I was affected?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced on 3 August 2025 that it will be holding a public consultation in early October 2025 on a proposed industry-wide redress scheme for certain motor finance customers—particularly where discretionary commission arrangements may not have been properly disclosed.

If the proposals go ahead, the FCA has indicated that payments to affected customers could begin sometime in 2026. However, the consultation process must first be completed and final decisions made, so exact dates and eligibility criteria are not yet confirmed.

If you choose to appoint Olton Alexander to represent you, we will keep you informed of developments, including any changes to the proposed timelines and next steps once the FCA releases further updates.

What does this mean for me?

If you took out a car finance agreement such as a PCP or hire‑purchase before 28 January 2021, and your interest rate was set via a discretionary commission arrangement (DCA) (where the broker could increase the rate to earn higher commission), you could be affected. DCAs were banned by the FCA in January 2021 due to concerns they incentivised brokers and lenders to prioritise their own profits over fair customer outcomes.

On 1 August 2025, the UK Supreme Court issued a judgment (in the case of Johnson v FirstRand and others), ruling that while dealers did not owe fiduciary duties to customers however the Court upheld one customer’s claim under Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, finding the relationship was unfair due to high, undisclosed commission (55% of the total credit charge) and a concealed tie between dealer and lender.

Following that judgment, on 3 August 2025, the FCA announced it will launch a six‑week consultation (by early October 2025) on an industry‑wide redress scheme for unfair motor finance agreements mainly involving DCAs but potentially including other commission models under certain circumstances. Compensation payouts are expected to begin in 2026, it is estimated that the total industry liability could range between £9 billion and £18 billion.

For more information, please refer to the following Link on the FCA website:

https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-consult-motor-finance-compensation-scheme

Can I claim for multiple vehicles?

Absolutely, you can submit claims for more than one car if you believe you were misled in multiple PCP or HP agreements. However, keep in mind that the rules and processes may differ for each vehicle, depending on the details of the agreements and any legal precedents concerning those misrepresentations.

What are the chances of my claim being successful?

We can’t guarantee a successful claim, but our experienced team of experts will review your case carefully and to give you the best possible chances for success.

The outcome can depend on several factors, including:

  • How the finance was explained to you
  • Whether any commission arrangements were in place and disclosed
  • The evidence and documents you can provide
  • Your personal circumstances at the time of the agreement
  • The specific details of your situation and any time limits that apply
Can I speak to someone directly about my claim?

Yes — we’re here to help.
You can contact us by phone, 01942 800000, or email, carfinance@olton-alexander.co.uk, to speak with one of our team. We’ll answer your questions and explain your options, so you can decide what’s best for you.

What if I change my mind after starting my claim?

Changing your mind is fine.
You can cancel your claim at any time. If you cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period, there’s no charge. If you cancel after this period, we may charge for the work we’ve carried out on your claim at £60 (including VAT) per hour.

To cancel, just email carfinance@olton-alexander.co.uk or call 01942 800000 — we’ll make sure your request is handled quickly and professionally. Please see our cancelation

Why should I use a claims management company?
  • Specialist Expertise – Our management team has extensive experience in financial claims, including complex car finance agreements and complaint processes.
  • Proven Track Record – We have successfully supported many clients in navigating similar complaints, always working within FCA guidelines.
  • Understanding Your Rights – We can help you clearly understand the regulations and protections that apply to your finance agreement.
  • Handling the Process for You – We manage correspondence, evidence gathering, and submissions, reducing the time and effort you need to spend.
  • Knowledge of Lender Procedures – Our familiarity with how lenders handle complaints allows us to present your case in a structured and effective way.
  • Clear, Transparent Fees – You will know exactly what our service costs before you agree to proceed, with no hidden charges.
  • No Need to Negotiate with the Lender Directly – This can be beneficial if you feel uncomfortable engaging with the company that may have caused the issue.
  • Evidence-Based Approach – We only pursue claims where there is a reasonable basis to believe a complaint could be upheld.
  • Support at Every Stage – From initial assessment to the lenders final response we guide you through the process.

If you have any questions or require any further assistance please contact our customer care team at carfinance@oltonalexander.co.uk or alternatively call our team on 01942 800000