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Glasgow, a city with a population of 635,000 (ONS Census 2021), has seen an estimated 60,008 drivers potentially affected by motor finance mis-selling practices between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 (calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates). This issue has drawn significant attention as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigates
discretionary commission arrangements that may have led to unfair financial deals for consumers.
How Motor Finance Mis-selling Affected Glasgow
Local dealerships such as Arnold Clark Glasgow, Peter Vardy Glasgow, Eastern Western Motor Group Glasgow, and Macklin Motors Glasgow were among those offering
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or
Hire Purchase (HP) finance to their customers. These dealerships worked closely with major lenders like
[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) to facilitate the financing of vehicle purchases.
The FCA investigation revealed that some finance agreements may have been influenced by discretionary commission arrangements, leading to customers paying more than they should for their vehicles. Dealerships might have received higher commissions for selling certain finance products, potentially resulting in customers being pushed towards deals that were not in their best financial interest.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The investigation has uncovered significant issues affecting a total of 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across the UK, with an estimated £7.5 billion (FCA estimate) worth of finance contracts potentially impacted. On average, customers may have overpaid by around £829 (FCA estimate). The FCA's investigation is ongoing and aims to ensure that motor finance agreements are fair and transparent for all consumers.
How Glasgow Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
Glasgow residents can start the process of checking their finance agreements by reviewing their paperwork. Key dates to look out for include any deals arranged between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, as these are within the timeframe covered by the FCA investigation.
Important documents to gather include:
- The original finance agreement
- Any documentation related to payments made or outstanding balances
- Correspondence with lenders or dealerships
By carefully examining these documents, residents can determine if their agreements might have been affected by mis-selling practices and take appropriate action.
If you suspect that your motor finance agreement was mis-sold, you can complain directly to the lender at no cost. Major lenders operating in Glasgow 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 help with your complaint; you can manage this process independently. If the lender does not resolve your issue satisfactorily, you can escalate it to the
Financial Ombudsman Service, which provides a free and impartial service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial firms.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 2024
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021
- MLJ.org.uk (mlj.org.uk)
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.