Bought a car on finance
between 2007 and 2024?
You may have been affected by the UK car finance commission scandal. Use this checker to see if your deal looks in scope, what the FCA says happens next, and whether to complain now, wait for the scheme, or escalate.
Based on current FCA guidance and the Johnson, Wrench and Hopcraft Supreme Court decision on 1 August 2025.
Fast Eligibility Check
Answer a few questions and see whether your agreement is likely in scope.
Built Around FCA Guidance
Updated for the FCA's proposed compensation scheme and current complaints process.
Tells You the Next Move
Complain now, wait for the scheme, or go to the Financial Ombudsman.
Find The Right Lender Route
Matches major motor finance lenders and gives you the right complaint email, phone, or form where possible.
Car Finance Scandal Checker
Find out if your agreement is likely affected and what to do next.
Popular lenders
Can't see your lender? Type it above. Try names like Black Horse, MotoNovo, Santander Consumer Finance, or Close Brothers.
What this checker helps with
- PCP, HP, and conditional sale agreements taken out between 2007 and 2024.
- Sorting people into the right route: complain now, wait for lender response, or escalate to FOS.
- Helping you complain directly for free instead of handing over a cut to a claims company.
- Matching major lenders like Black Horse, Close Brothers, MotoNovo, Santander and Blue Motor Finance to known complaint routes.
Quick Qualifying Checks
PCP, HP and conditional sale are the main agreements in scope.
The FCA's proposed scheme covers agreements made between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Leasing and PCH are different and usually follow the normal complaint process.
The key issue is whether commission arrangements were properly disclosed before you signed.
Common Questions
What is the UK car finance scandal?
Many motor finance deals involved commission paid by the lender to the broker or dealer, without customers being properly told. The FCA says many firms broke its rules, and the Supreme Court confirmed in August 2025 that poor commission disclosure can be unfair and unlawful in some cases.
Who may be affected?
The FCA says the proposed scheme may apply to motor finance agreements used to buy a car, van, campervan or motorbike between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, mainly PCP, HP and conditional sale agreements. Personal contract hire and leasing are treated differently.
Should I use a claims company?
Usually no. The FCA says you can complain for free and that you should not need a claims management company or law firm to take part in any compensation scheme. Some firms can take up to 36% of your payout in fees.
How much could compensation be?
There is no fixed amount. The FCA says the average payment under its proposed scheme could be around £700 per agreement, but some people may get more and some less depending on the commission arrangement and how much they overpaid.
Can I complain if the finance is already paid off or the car is gone?
Usually yes. The issue is the finance agreement and whether commission was properly disclosed, not whether you still own the car. Old agreements can still matter if you can identify the lender and the deal.
Can I complain about more than one agreement?
Yes. If you had more than one eligible motor finance agreement, each one may need to be checked and complained about separately.
Do I need to complain now?
If you think you were not properly told about commission, the FCA says you should complain now. Under current proposals, people who complain before the scheme starts could have their cases assessed and paid sooner.
What is the current deadline?
For many motor finance commission complaints, firms do not have to send a final response until after 31 May 2026. If you already have a final response you are unhappy with, the deadline to go to the Financial Ombudsman depends on when that letter was sent.
Watch for scams
There is no live FCA compensation scheme payout process yet. Be wary of anyone contacting you out of the blue promising guaranteed compensation or asking for bank details.
What people need to do right now
The best route is usually to complain to the lender directly for free. Claims companies are not necessary, and the FCA says people who complain before the scheme starts may be dealt with sooner.
If you have not complained yet
Complain to the lender or broker now for free. Include your name, agreement date, number plate, old address, and anything else that helps them find the deal.
If you already complained
Keep the acknowledgement and any final response. If your case falls within the proposed scheme, complaining early may mean faster assessment once the scheme starts.
If you already got a final response
Check the date on the letter and take it to the Financial Ombudsman in time if you disagree. Some motor finance commission complaints have extended referral windows, but not all do.
The deadlines that actually matter
This is where people get lost. Most users do not need to wait for the full scheme to be live before doing anything. The simplest move is usually to complain now, then keep an eye on the lender response and any Financial Ombudsman deadline in a final response letter.
31 May 2026
For many covered commission complaints, firms do not have to send final responses until after this date.
Mid 2026
The FCA says a compensation scheme is expected to begin around mid 2026 if it goes ahead.
FOS timing varies
If you already have a final response, your Financial Ombudsman deadline depends on when that letter was sent.
What to gather before you complain
- Your name and any old address used when you took out the finance.
- The agreement date or rough year range.
- The vehicle registration if you still have it.
- Any lender name from statements, emails, or your credit file.
- The agreement, pre-contract documents, or any commission wording if you still have them.
The easiest first step
Use the checker, then copy or open the pre-written complaint email. That gives you a clean paper trail and gets you into the queue without paying a claims company. If we recognise the lender, we also show the complaints email, phone number, or official complaint page.
If you had more than one car on finance, repeat the process for each agreement separately. The FCA position and likely payout can differ from one deal to another.
How NoReply fits in
What we help with
NoReply is useful once you know you should complain. We help you draft a proper complaint letter to the lender or broker with the facts laid out clearly.
That is different from using a claims management company. You stay in control and complain directly.
What we do not promise
This tool is not a guaranteed payout checker and it is not legal advice. It is a practical triage tool based on the FCA's current public guidance and ombudsman process.
Ready to complain directly?
Skip the claims company. Use NoReply to draft a clean, professional motor finance complaint letter you can send to the lender yourself.
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