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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 of up to £700.

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 FCA bans a type of commission arrangement that allowed dealers to increase a customer's interest rate to earn more commission from the finance company. The ban comes into force on 28 January 2021.

Jan 2021
FCA Investigates Historical Motor Finance

The FCA bans a type of commission arrangement that allowed dealers to increase a customer's interest rate to earn more commission from the finance company. The ban comes into force on 28 January 2021.

Jan 2024
FCA Extends Complaint Deadlines

The FCA extends the pause on firms' deadlines for responding to DCA complaints until after 4 December 2025. It also extends the time customers must refer certain complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Sep 2024
Court of Appeal Rules on Commission

The Court of Appeal rules in three motor finance cases that certain commission arrangements were unlawful where customers had not been given sufficient information and informed consent. The cases are then taken to the Supreme Court.

Oct 2024
High Court Rules on Barclays Challenge

The High Court rejects Barclays Partner Finance's challenge to a Financial Ombudsman decision involving motor finance commission. The court dismisses all three grounds of appeal.

Dec 2024
Supreme Court Hears Appeals

The Supreme Court hears the motor finance appeals involving Johnson, Wrench and Hopcraft from 1 to 3 April 2025.

April 2025
FCA Considers Redress Scheme

The FCA sets out how a possible Redress Scheme could work if customers were found to have lost out because of unfair motor finance commission arrangements.

Jun 2025
Supreme Court Judgment Delivered

The Supreme Court delivers its judgment on 1 August 2025. It overturns the Court of Appeal's findings on bribery and fiduciary duties but finds that one customer's relationship with the lender was unfair under the Consumer Credit Act.

Aug 2025
FCA Announces Redress Scheme Plans

Following the Supreme Court judgment, the FCA announces plans to consult on an industry-wide Redress Scheme for motor finance customers who were treated unfairly.

Aug 2025
FCA Launches Redress Scheme Consultation

The FCA launches its formal consultation on an industry-wide Redress Scheme for eligible motor finance customers.

Oct 2025
FCA Consultation Closes

The FCA closes its Redress Scheme consultation on 12 December 2025 after receiving feedback from consumers, firms and other interested parties.

Dec 2025
FCA Confirms Redress Scheme

The FCA confirms the Motor Finance Consumer Redress Scheme for eligible customers. It covers qualifying motor finance agreements taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.

Mar 2026
Redress Scheme Faces Legal Challenge

The FCA's Redress Scheme is legally challenged in the Upper Tribunal. The FCA confirms it will defend the scheme.

May 2026
Parts of Redress Scheme Suspended

The Upper Tribunal temporarily suspends parts of the Redress Scheme while the legal challenges are considered. Other parts of the scheme remain in place.

Jul 2026
FCA Reviews Firms' Readiness

The FCA reviews finance companies' plans for delivering the Redress Scheme and identifies areas where some firms need to strengthen their preparations.

Aug 2026
Legal Challenges Continue

The legal challenges to the Redress Scheme are ongoing. The Upper Tribunal is expected to hear the challenges in December 2026 or February 2027. If you believe you may be affected, you can still make a complaint about your motor finance agreement. Starting your claim now means you can act without waiting for the legal challenges to end. The timing of any redress will depend on the outcome of the legal process.

Ongoing
Do you think you've been mis-sold?

We offer a simple 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) has been developing a proposed industry-wide redress scheme for certain motor finance customers who may have been affected by discretionary commission arrangements.

The FCA’s consultation on the proposed scheme closed in December, and the regulator has confirmed it will review responses and publish its final decision and implementation details in early 2026. If a redress scheme is introduced, compensation payments are expected to begin during 2026. In the meantime, lenders are required to resume issuing final responses to motor finance commission complaints from May 2026, in line with updated FCA complaint-handling rules.

If you choose to appoint Olton Alexander to represent you, we will keep you informed of developments, including any confirmed timelines and next steps as further updates are released by the FCA.

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.

The FCA’s consultation closed in December, and the regulator has confirmed it will review responses and publish its final decision and implementation details in early 2026. If a redress scheme is introduced, compensation payments are expected to begin during 2026. In the meantime, lenders are required to resume issuing final responses to motor finance commission complaints from May 2026, in line with updated FCA complaint-handling rules. It is estimated that the total industry liability could range between £9 billion and £18 billion.

For more information, please refer to the FCA’s announcement on its website: Car finance claims | FCA

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 in order 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.

This will be charged at a variable rate in as outlined in our Cancellation Policy, of up to £84 inc. VAT.

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 cancellation form.

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

What happens if I have already instructed another company?

If you have already asked another company or the lender to handle your car finance complaint, it’s important to let us know.

Having more than one representative can sometimes cause delays, duplicated work, or potential fees from one or more firms. We will always check your position and explain your options so you can make an informed decision about how you would like to proceed.

If you are unsure whether you have already instructed another firm, or would like to discuss your situation, please call our team on 01942 800 000 and we will be happy to help.