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Buckinghamshire, a county with a population of 546,000 (ONS Census 2021), has seen many affected drivers due to motor finance mis-selling practices between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. This figure is based on calculations using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates.
How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Buckinghamshire
Motor finance mis-selling has had a significant impact on residents of Buckinghamshire, particularly those who purchased vehicles through
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Local dealerships such as Caffyns Buckinghamshire, Harwoods Buckinghamshire, Lookers Buckinghamshire, and Hendy Group Buckinghamshire were among the key players in the area that offered these financing options.
Major lenders operating in Buckinghamshire during this period included
Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group),
MotoNovo Finance,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and
[Alphera](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/alphera-financial-services) Financial Services (BMW). These lenders provided financing for vehicle purchases at local dealerships, making it easier for residents to buy cars through finance agreements.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted a full investigation into motor finance mis-selling practices. It was revealed that many dealers were incentivised by
discretionary commission arrangements from lenders, leading to potential conflicts of interest and improper sales practices. This investigation uncovered that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these issues across the UK (FCA estimate), with an estimated total value of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate). The average compensation per affected individual was approximately £829 (FCA estimate).
How Buckinghamshire Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
To determine if you are covered by the FCA redress scheme., residents should review their finance agreements carefully. Key dates to check include those between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. Look for any documentation that outlines the terms of your agreement, including sales contracts, loan agreements, or letters from lenders confirming any changes in your financing arrangement.
If you suspect that you have been affected by motor finance mis-selling practices, you can complain directly to your lender at no cost. Major lenders operating in Buckinghamshire include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services (BMW).
When lodging a complaint, ensure that you provide all relevant documentation, such as sales contracts and loan agreements. You can contact your lender's customer service department to initiate the complaint process. you do not need a
claims management company to assist with this; handling complaints directly is free of charge.
If your initial complaint does not resolve the issue or if you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you may escalate the matter to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS), which provides an independent and impartial service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial businesses. The FOS offers a free service and can be contacted online or by phone.
Sources and References
- ONS Census 2021
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates on motor finance mis-selling (FCA, 2024)
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Car Finance Compensation in Your Area
The FCA confirmed that 12.1 million motor finance agreements across the UK qualify for compensation. The FCA-estimated scheme average of £829 per eligible agreement per agreement, totalling £7.5 billion in redress. If you took out PCP or HP car finance between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, your agreement may be eligible regardless of where you live in the UK.
The final deadline to complain is 31 August 2027. You can complain to your lender directly for free. You do not need a claims management company.