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Fermanagh and Omagh residents are estimated to include 11,094 drivers who may have been impacted by motor finance mis-selling (calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates). With a total population of 117,400 (ONS Census 2021), many local car buyers might be affected by the practices that led to recent investigations.
## How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Fermanagh and Omagh
Dealerships in Fermanagh and Omagh, such as Charles Hurst Fermanagh and Omagh, Donnelly Group Fermanagh and Omagh, Shelbourne Motors Fermanagh and Omagh, and JC Halliday Fermanagh and Omagh, sold
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements. These dealerships facilitated financing options from major lenders like
Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group),
MotoNovo Finance,
[Close Brothers](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/close-brothers-motor-finance) Motor Finance,
Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and
[Alphera](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/alphera-financial-services) Financial Services (BMW). The mis-selling issues arose due to the way these lenders structured their relationships with dealerships through
[discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements.
## The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance agreements from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, uncovering widespread mis-selling practices. These practices affected 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across the UK (FCA estimate), with a total of £7.5 billion in financial impact (£829 average per eligible agreement per agreement; FCA estimate). The investigation revealed that many car buyers were misled about the true cost and risks associated with their finance deals.
## How Fermanagh and Omagh Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
To determine if your finance agreement was affected by mis-selling, you should review several key aspects of your contract:
-
Dates: Ensure that your agreement falls within the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024.
-
Documentation: Gather all documentation related to your car purchase and financing. This includes the finance agreement, any additional fees or charges, and correspondence with the lender.
You should look for signs of mis-selling such as:
- Excessive fees that were not transparently explained.
- Inaccurate information about interest rates or total cost of credit.
- Misleading descriptions of payment terms and conditions.
## How to
Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
If you suspect your finance agreement was affected by motor finance mis-selling, you can complain directly to your lender for free. Major lenders in Fermanagh and Omagh include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services (BMW). You do not need a
claims management company to file a complaint.
When you contact your lender:
1. Provide clear details of the issues you encountered.
2. Attach relevant documentation to support your case.
3. Request a full investigation into your concerns.
If your lender does not resolve your issue satisfactorily, you can escalate your complaint to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS) for free and unbiased mediation.
## Sources and References
- FCA estimates on agreements and financial impact: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) (£7.5 billion total; £829 average per eligible agreement per agreement).
- Population data from Fermanagh and Omagh: ONS Census 2021.
- Local dealership groups: Charles Hurst, Donnelly Group, Shelbourne Motors, JC Halliday.
- Major lenders operating in the area: Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, Alphera Financial Services (BMW).
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.