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East Sussex, a county with a population of 556,000 (ONS Census 2021), has seen an estimated 52,542 residents potentially affected by motor finance mis-selling between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. This figure is calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates (FCA, 2024).
How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected East Sussex
Motor finance mis-selling has impacted residents of East Sussex through various local dealerships including Caffyns East Sussex, Harwoods East Sussex, Lookers East Sussex, and Hendy Group East Sussex. These dealerships offered
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements to customers, often with the backing of major lenders such as
[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).
Dealerships in East Sussex may have engaged in practices that were later found to be unfair or misleading by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This can include incentivising sales staff through
discretionary commission arrangements, which could lead to pushing customers towards products that weren’t suitable for their financial situation.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA investigation uncovered that from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across the UK were affected by these practices. This resulted in an estimated £7.5 billion total loss for consumers (£829 average per eligible agreement per agreement; FCA estimate). The investigation revealed that many customers were sold motor finance products without adequate consideration of their financial circumstances, leading to overpayment or difficulty in managing repayments.
How East Sussex Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
East Sussex residents who suspect they may have been mis-sold a car finance agreement should review their contracts and any related documentation. Key dates to check are between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, as this period corresponds with the FCA’s investigation timeframe.
Documents that can be reviewed include:
- Finance agreements: Look for terms and conditions that may have been unfair or overly complex.
- Sales documentation: Check if there is evidence of a salesperson's pushy tactics or misleading information.
- Communication records: Review emails, texts, or letters from the dealership or lender regarding your finance agreement.
By gathering these documents and assessing them critically, East Sussex residents can determine whether they have been affected by motor finance mis-selling practices.
If you believe that you were mis-sold a car finance agreement in East Sussex, it is important to know your rights. You can complain directly to your lender for free without the need for a
claims management company. Major lenders operating in East Sussex include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services (BMW).
When contacting your lender, provide them with all relevant documentation and explain your concerns clearly and concisely. If you are not satisfied with their response or if they do not address your issue adequately, you can escalate the matter to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS) for free.
Sources and References
- FCA estimates on affected agreements: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026)
- Total loss estimate: £7.5 billion (FCA estimate)
- Average per agreement: £829 (FCA estimate)
- Population of East Sussex: 556,000 (ONS Census 2021)
- Calculated affected drivers in East Sussex: 52,542 (calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates)
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.