Photo by kevin grieve on Pexels
Have you ever wondered how many residents in Blackpool might have been affected by motor finance mis-selling? According to calculations using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates, an estimated 13,324 drivers could be impacted out of a total population of 141,000 (ONS Census 2021). This significant number highlights the importance for Blackpool residents to understand their rights in relation to motor finance agreements.
## How Motor Finance Mis-selling Affected Blackpool
Motor finance mis-selling has had a considerable impact on many car buyers across Blackpool. Local dealerships such as Arnold Clark Blackpool, JCT600 Blackpool, Lookers Blackpool, and Peter Vardy Blackpool have been involved in selling
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements to customers within the town. Major lenders operating in Blackpool 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 might have recommended finance plans that were not suitable for their clients, potentially leading to overpayment or other financial issues. It is essential for residents of Blackpool who entered into motor finance agreements between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 to review the details of their contracts carefully.
## The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance mis-selling after uncovering
discretionary commission arrangements that incentivised dealerships to sell more expensive products. These practices led to significant harm for consumers, with 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across the UK (FCA estimate). The total value of these agreements amounts to £7.5 billion, with the average loss per customer estimated at £829 (FCA estimate).
The investigation highlights how dealers might have pushed customers towards higher-cost finance options that were not in their best interest, resulting in unnecessary financial strain for many Blackpool residents.
## How Blackpool Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
To determine if you are one of the affected drivers, start by checking your motor finance agreement. Look out for any clauses or terms that suggest your dealership received additional commissions based on the type or cost of the financing plan you chose. The agreements in question were entered into between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Gather all relevant documents, including the original finance agreement, any letters from your lender regarding changes to your contract, and any correspondence with customer service representatives. Having these records on hand will help you build a clear picture of what happened during the sale process.
## How to
Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
If you believe that you have been affected by motor finance mis-selling in Blackpool, you can complain directly to your lender without needing to pay any fees or hire a
claims management company. Major lenders such as Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services have dedicated teams to handle complaints.
When you contact your lender, provide them with all the necessary documentation and clearly outline why you believe there was mis-selling. "You can complain directly to your lender for free" and "You do not need a claims management company."
If your lender does not resolve your issue satisfactorily, you may escalate the complaint to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS), which provides an independent review of financial disputes at no cost.
## Sources and References
- FCA
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
- Office for National Statistics Census 2021 (ONS)
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.