PCP & HP Car Finance Claim Checker
Answer 4 quick questions to find out if you could be owed compensation — and get your personalised payout estimate.
What type of car finance did you have?
The scheme covers PCP and HP agreements arranged through a dealer or broker.
When did you sign the finance agreement?
The FCA scheme covers agreements signed between April 2007 and November 2024.
If you had multiple agreements, pick the year of your earliest one.
Was the finance arranged through a car dealer or broker?
Agreements arranged directly with a bank (without a dealer or broker) are generally outside the scheme.
How many PCP or HP agreements have you had?
Each eligible agreement is assessed separately — more agreements means a higher potential total.
Include all PCP or HP agreements since 2007, even if you've paid them off.
Good news — you may have a claim
You could be owed
Based on your agreements and FCA averages
agreements found
Free
to check
2 min
full check
To confirm your claim and get the exact figure, use the free Agreement Finder — it searches all major lenders for your historic agreements automatically, no paperwork needed.
Confirm My Claim on Reclaim247 →Free to check · 700,000+ UK drivers helped · 4.7★ Trustpilot
You may not qualify for this scheme
Based on your answers, your agreement may not fall within the FCA's criteria — either because it was direct with a bank (no dealer/broker commission), it was a leasing arrangement, or it was outside the 2007–2024 window.
How the calculation works
FCA averages
The FCA estimates £700–£829 average payout per eligible agreement, based on analysis of 14.2 million agreements.
Finance type & period
HP agreements typically involved larger loans; earlier agreements (pre-2015) often had higher commissions and interest rate markups.
Number of agreements
Reclaim247 finds an average of 2 agreements per customer. Each is assessed separately, so multiple agreements multiply your potential payout.
Important — your rights under the FCA scheme
You do not need to use a claims management company or solicitor. You can:
- Complain directly to your lender (free)
- Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service if unhappy (free)
- Wait for the FCA's industry-wide redress scheme to open (free — though currently subject to legal challenge which may delay payments)
If you use a firm like Reclaim247, they charge 18–36% including VAT on any successful claim. Weigh this against the convenience of their automatic Agreement Finder service.
What is the FCA Car Finance Scandal?
For most of the 2000s and 2010s, car dealers and finance brokers in the UK were quietly earning extra commission on every car finance deal they arranged. The practice — known as a Discretionary Commission Arrangement (DCA) — let dealers secretly inflate the interest rate on a customer's PCP or HP agreement to earn a higher cut, without the customer ever knowing.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) banned DCAs in January 2021 after a review found widespread harm. In October 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled that this practice was unlawful and that lenders owe compensation to affected customers. The case reached the UK Supreme Court in April 2025, with a ruling expected by late 2025 or early 2026.
The FCA estimates that 14.2 million agreements between April 2007 and November 2024 may have included a DCA — affecting a large proportion of UK drivers who bought a car on finance during that period.
Timeline of Events
April 2007
DCAs become widespread across UK car finance. Dealers routinely use commission-linked interest rate arrangements on PCP and HP agreements.
January 2021
The FCA bans Discretionary Commission Arrangements following a review that finds widespread consumer harm.
January 2024
FCA launches a formal review into historical DCA use and pauses the deadline for lenders to respond to complaints.
October 2024
Court of Appeal rules that undisclosed commission arrangements were unlawful — opening the door to mass compensation claims. Close Brothers and MotoNovo Finance are among the first lenders in the frame.
April 2025
UK Supreme Court hears the appeals from lenders. A ruling is expected by late 2025.
2026 (expected)
FCA's industry-wide redress scheme is expected to open, allowing eligible customers to receive compensation automatically — or via a complaint to their lender.
Which Lenders Are Affected?
The scheme covers PCP and HP agreements arranged through a dealer or broker. Most major car finance lenders are implicated. Agreements made directly with a bank without a dealer or broker involved are generally outside the scheme.
| Lender | Also known as | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black Horse | Part of Lloyds Banking Group | In scope |
| Close Brothers Motor Finance | Close Brothers | Court of Appeal case |
| Santander Consumer Finance | Santander car loans | In scope |
| MotoNovo Finance | Formerly Newport Finance | Court of Appeal case |
| FirstResponse Finance | FirstResponse | In scope |
| Barclays Partner Finance | Barclays | In scope |
| Volkswagen Financial Services | VWFS | Under review |
| BMW Financial Services | BMW FS | Under review |
This table is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Lender status may change as the Supreme Court proceedings conclude.
Common questions
What if I can't remember all my agreements?
That's exactly what the free Agreement Finder solves. It runs a soft credit search (which doesn't affect your credit score) and pulls every PCP and HP agreement recorded against your name since 2007 — even from lenders you've forgotten about or that changed name.
I've sold the car. Can I still claim?
Yes. Eligibility is based on the finance agreement, not whether you still have the vehicle. If you had an eligible PCP or HP agreement at any point between 2007 and 2024, you may still be owed money.
Do I need my V5C logbook?
No — not to start the check. Most checkers use your personal details to find agreements automatically. Your V5C can be useful as supporting evidence if details are disputed, but it's not required up front. If you need a replacement V5C, we can help with that.
When will I receive the money?
The FCA's redress scheme is expected to open in 2026, though it is currently subject to a legal challenge from lenders which may cause delays. Customers who complain now are placed in the queue ahead of those who haven't yet complained — so acting sooner puts you in a better position.
What is a Discretionary Commission Arrangement (DCA)?
A DCA was a type of commission arrangement where the car dealer or broker could set the interest rate on your finance agreement — and earn a higher commission the higher the rate they charged. This created a direct conflict of interest: dealers had a financial incentive to charge you more. The FCA banned this practice in January 2021.
Can I claim if I used a car supermarket or online broker?
Yes. The scheme covers any PCP or HP agreement where a third party (dealer, broker, car supermarket, or comparison site) arranged the finance and could influence the interest rate. This includes well-known car supermarkets and online car brokers.
Do I need to pay anything upfront?
No. This checker is completely free. If you choose to use a claims management company like Reclaim247, they charge 18–36% of any money you actually receive — you pay nothing upfront, and nothing at all if the claim is unsuccessful.
Ready to run the full free check?
The Agreement Finder searches all major lenders automatically — no paperwork, no upfront cost.
Check My Claim on Reclaim247 →700,000+ customers helped · 4.7★ on Trustpilot · 18–36% fee on successful claims