5 Signs You Might Be Owed Compensation (And How to Claim It)
If you financed a car between 2007 and 2024, you could be owed money - and not even know it.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has uncovered widespread mis-selling in car finance agreements. Dealers were allowed to increase your interest rate to earn more commission - and most customers were never told.
Think back to how your finance was arranged. Did anything feel rushed, unclear, or sneakily "taken care of"? These could be signs you've been affected - and might be eligible for compensation.
Here are five signs to look for...
The Dealer "Took Care of Everything" - Except Your Wallet
Were you told not to worry about the finance, that the dealer would "sort it out"? You likely thought they were being helpful. But behind the scenes, they may have been adjusting your interest rate to maximise their own commission.
What You Weren't Told:
Dealers had the power to increase your interest rate - and the higher it was, the more money they made.
You weren't just agreeing to a payment plan. You were unknowingly agreeing to a deal that earned someone else more money at your expense.
If you weren't told how the finance was arranged or how the dealer earned from it, that's Sign #1.
No One Mentioned Commission - But It Was There
Did anyone explain that the dealer made money from your finance deal? That your interest rate boosted their payday?
Probably not. According to the FCA, most customers were left completely in the dark about this.
Why It Matters:
You had the right to know if someone's financial gain depended on what you were being charged.This wasn't a minor omission. It was a big issue across the industry. If you weren't clearly told about dealer commission, that's Sign #2.
Your Interest Rate Felt High - And You Didn't Question It
Did your rate seem higher than expected - but you were told it was due to your credit score or "standard for this type of finance"?
What you weren't told: the dealer may have been able to lower the rate, but chose not to - because a higher rate meant more commission for them.
The Result:
You could've been charged thousands more over the term of your agreement - with no idea it was negotiable.
If your rate felt steep and no one explained why, that's Sign #3.
The Dealer Made a Quiet Phone Call Before Giving You a Rate
Did your rate seem higher than expected - but you were told it was due to your credit score or "standard for this type of finance"?
What you weren't told: the dealer may have been able to lower the rate, but chose not to - because a higher rate meant more commission for them.
The Result:
You could've been charged thousands more over the term of your agreement - with no idea it was negotiable.
If your rate felt steep and no one explained why, that's Sign #3.
You Used Dealer Finance Instead of Your Bank
If you used the dealership's finance instead of arranging your own through a bank or credit union, you were more exposed to these commission-driven deals.
Why It's a Red Flag:
Unlike banks, finance companies working with dealers often paid commission - and gave the dealer power to increase your rate.
You weren't just paying interest - you were likely paying commission too, without knowing it.
If you used dealer-arranged finance, that's Sign #5.
How Many Signs Sound Familiar?
If even one of these happened to you, your car finance agreement may have been mis-sold. If three or more apply? There's a strong chance you're eligible for compensation.
What the FCA Discovered: This Was Widespread
• Dealers often earned more by increasing customers' interest rates
• Most customers weren't told about this
Up to 14 million finance agreements may have been affected
• The average payout is £700 per agreement
This wasn't a few dodgy dealers. It was how the system worked - across big brands, national chains, and independent garages.
Have You Bought Multiple Cars Since 2007?
Example:
• 2012: Dealer arranged your finance - Sign #1
• 2016: No mention of commission - Sign #2
• 2020: High rate with little explanation - Sign #3
That's three signs. Three agreements. Potentially £2,100 in compensation.
What to Do If You Spotted the Signs
Check Your Eligibility
• No paperwork or reg number needed.
• We Find Your Old Agreements
• We'll locate your car finance history for you.
• We Process the Claims
• We handle the legal side - you don't lift a finger.
• You Get Paid
• If successful, you'll receive an average £700 per agreement.
✅ No Win, No Fee
You only pay if your claim is successful.
Act Now to Beat the 2026 Queue
Complain Now:
✔ Automatic inclusion in the scheme
✔ Priority processing
✔ 3-month lender response time
Wait Until 2026:
⏳ Must opt-in yourself
⏳ Standard processing with millions of others⏳ 6-month response time
⚠️ Risk missing your window
Over 500,000 people have already secured priority status. Don't get stuck at the back of the queue.
Not Sure If You Qualify?
It couldn't be simpler to check. First, ask yourself:
✅ Did you finance a car between 2007 and 2024?
✅ Did the dealer arrange the finance?
❌ Were you told how much commission they earned?
If you answered Yes, Yes, No, you could be owed money. Check your eligibility now.
Don't miss out because you're unsure. Most people don't check because they're not sure if it applies to them. That's what the eligibility tool is for.
👉 No paperwork required
👉 Takes 2 minutes
👉 Totally free to check
You might find out you're owed hundreds - maybe thousands.
Quick Recap: 5 Signs You May Be Owed Compensation
1. The dealer arranged the finance without explaining their incentives
2. You were never told about commission
3. Your interest rate felt high, but you weren't given options
4. A "quiet phone call" happened before you got your rate
5. You financed through the dealership instead of your bank
Even one of these means you could be owed money. Time to check your eligibility.
What Happens If You Don't?
If you weren't affected, nothing changes.
But if you were - and you don't check - you could miss out on money you're legally owed.
That's money that could go towards:
💸 Clearing debt
✈️ Taking a trip
🎁 Covering Christmas
📈 Boosting savings
This scheme won't be open forever. When it closes, it'll be too late to claim.
This Is Your "Next Time" Moment
This is the moment to act. Remember that flight you could've booked cheaper yesterday? Missing early bird tickets by a few hours? Someone else jumping the queue because they knew the system? Check now. Get priority. Thank yourself later.
✅ Free Eligibility Check
Spotted the signs? See if you're owed compensation.
✅ Takes 2 minutes
✅ No car reg required
✅ No upfront costs
✅ No Win, No Fee**
