Photo by kevin grieve on Pexels
Burton-upon-Trent, a town with a population of 75,000 (ONS Census 2021), has been affected by motor finance mis-selling. An estimated 7,088 drivers in Burton-upon-Trent are among those who may have been impacted by this issue (calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates).
How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Burton-upon-Trent
Motor finance mis-selling has had a significant impact on residents of Burton-upon-Trent. Local dealerships such as Sytner Burton-upon-Trent, Pendragon Burton-upon-Trent, Listers Group Burton-upon-Trent, and John Clark Motor Group Burton-upon-Trent sold
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements to local consumers. Major lenders operating in the area include
[Black Horse](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/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 dealerships and finance providers were involved in
[[discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement)](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements that may have led to unfair sales practices. This affected not only Burton-upon-Trent but also the wider UK market.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance agreements, focusing on the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. It was found that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) potentially affected by mis-selling practices (FCA estimate). The total amount involved in these agreements is estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA estimate), with an average claim value of £829 per agreement (FCA estimate).
The investigation revealed that dealers and finance providers may have misled consumers about the true cost and terms of their motor finance deals, leading to financial harm for many drivers.
How Burton-upon-Trent Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
To determine if you were affected by motor finance mis-selling in Burton-upon-Trent, residents should review their finance agreements. Look for evidence that your dealer or lender may have used discretionary commission arrangements. Key dates to check are between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Gather all relevant documents such as loan contracts, payment schedules, and any correspondence with the lender. These documents will be crucial in building a strong case if you decide to
complain directly to your finance provider.
How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
If you suspect that you have been mis-sold motor finance, you can complain directly to your lender for free. Major lenders operating in Burton-upon-Trent include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services.
You do not need a
claims management company; most complaints can be handled directly with your lender. Provide them with the evidence you have gathered, such as finance agreements and payment records, to support your case.
If your complaint is not resolved by your lender, you can escalate it to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS), which provides a free and impartial service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial services providers. The FOS can be contacted at https://www.fosscotland.org.uk/.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Office for National Statistics Census 2021
- 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.