Motor Finance Claims Chichester - FCA Investigation

Home › Areas › Motor Finance Claims Chichester - FCA Investigation

Motor Finance Claims Chichester - FCA Investigation

Last updated: 27 February 2026

Chichester - mlj.org.uk — Photo by Ivan Vi on Pexels

Chichester, a city within West Sussex with a population of 124,200 (ONS Census 2021), has seen many affected drivers as part of a significant investigation into motor finance mis-selling practices. This figure is calculated using ONS Census 2021 data and FCA estimates.

How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Chichester

Motor finance mis-selling in Chichester involved several local dealerships such as Caffyns Chichester, Harwoods Chichester, Lookers Chichester, and Hendy Group Chichester. These dealerships facilitated Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements through major lenders like 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 finance arrangements were often sold to customers with misleading information or without fully explaining the terms, leading many residents of Chichester to enter into agreements they did not fully understand. The practices in question involved discretionary commission arrangements where dealerships could earn additional payments from lenders for steering customers towards particular financing options that may have been more expensive than other alternatives.

The FCA Motor Finance Investigation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a full investigation into motor finance mis-selling, revealing significant issues with the industry's practices. From 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, an estimated 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these problematic arrangements (FCA estimate). The total amount involved is £7.5 billion (FCA estimate), with each mis-sold agreement averaging around £829 (FCA estimate). The investigation uncovered that many consumers in Chichester and across the UK were sold motor finance products that did not meet their needs, leading to unnecessary financial strain and confusion.

How Chichester Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements

Residents of Chichester who suspect they may have been mis-sold a motor finance agreement should review their contracts carefully. Key elements to look for include:

Dates: Any agreements entered into between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Documents: Gather your finance agreement, any letters or emails from the lender, and documentation related to your purchase from dealerships such as Caffyns Chichester, Harwoods Chichester, Lookers Chichester, and Hendy Group Chichester.

By examining these documents, you can determine if your agreement falls under the scope of the FCA investigation. If you find discrepancies or evidence of mis-selling, it is important to take action promptly.

How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free

Chichester residents who believe they have been affected by motor finance mis-selling should contact their lender directly. Major lenders operating in Chichester include:

Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group)
MotoNovo Finance
Close Brothers Motor Finance
Santander Consumer Finance
Barclays Partner Finance
Alphera Financial Services (BMW)

You can complain directly to your lender for free without needing a claims management company. Providing clear documentation and evidence of mis-selling can help expedite the resolution process. If you are unsatisfied with the response from your lender, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at no cost. The FOS provides an independent review and can enforce fair outcomes on your behalf.

Sources and References

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Office for National Statistics Census 2021
Motor Finance Industry Reports
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many drivers in Chichester may have been affected by motor finance mis-selling?

Based on population data from the ONS Census 2021 and FCA estimates, an estimated 11,737 drivers in Chichester could be impacted by motor finance mis-selling (calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates).

What should I do if I suspect my motor finance agreement was mis-sold in Chichester?

If you believe your motor finance agreement may have been mis-sold, start by reviewing the terms of your contract carefully. You can also contact the lender directly to discuss any concerns you might have for free. Remember, you do not need a claims management company to handle this issue.

What is the average amount claimed in motor finance disputes involving residents of Chichester?

The typical claim value related to motor finance mis-selling disputes has been around £829 (FCA estimate). This figure represents an average across all affected consumers, including those from Chichester.

How many motor finance agreements were estimated by the FCA to be potentially mis-sold as of 2024?

As of November 1, 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) may have been mis-sold (FCA estimate). This includes contracts held by residents in Chichester who might consider reviewing their agreement for potential issues.

Important: MLJ.org.uk is an independent information resource. We are not a claims management company, solicitor, law firm, or financial adviser. We do not process claims, take fees, or provide advice. Where the law gives you a right to complain or claim directly (to a lender, council, FOS, court, or regulator), you can do so without paying a third party. MLJ.org.uk is operated by Copious Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 11437826.