Were You Mis-Sold Car Finance?

Were you mis-sold car finance?

You were potentially mis-sold if your car finance carried hidden or discretionary commission that pushed up your interest rate, and nobody told you. The clearest cases sit in the 2007–2024 window.

"Potentially" matters — being inside the window doesn't prove a problem. It means it's worth checking properly, which costs nothing.

What makes an agreement mis-sold?

Three things together make a deal worth checking: the dates, a commission link to your rate, and a lack of disclosure. The more that apply, the stronger your case.

• Dates: your agreement started between 2007–2024.
• Route: it was arranged through a dealer or broker paid commission, not a direct bank loan.
• Commission link: your interest rate could have been raised to earn more commission (a DCA).
• Disclosure: the commission, and how your rate was set, was not clearly explained to you.

How to check your paperwork

Dig out your original finance agreement and look for the APR, the lender's name and any mention of commission. If commission isn't mentioned at all, that's worth asking about.

Our letter template asks the lender that exact question for you.

1. Find your finance agreement (the dealer or lender can resend a copy if you've lost it).
2. Note the start date, the APR and the lender — see how to find your lender.
3. Look for any line about commission. If there's none, ask the lender to confirm whether a discretionary commission applied.

Estimate what you could be owed

If the checklist broadly fits, the next step is a free estimate — then a free complaint. You don't need a claims firm at any stage.

Try the compensation estimator, then follow how to claim. Claiming is free and you can do it yourself: complain to your lender first, then escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You do not need a claims-management company taking a cut.