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Glasgow City, home to 635,000 residents (ONS Census 2021), has seen many affected drivers due to 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 from local dealerships and major lenders operating in the area, raising concerns about transparency and fair dealing within the automotive finance sector.
How Motor Finance Mis-selling Affected Glasgow City
Local dealerships such as Arnold Clark Glasgow City, Peter Vardy Glasgow City, Eastern Western Motor Group Glasgow City, and Macklin Motors Glasgow City were among those that offered
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements to their customers. These arrangements often came with hidden costs and opaque terms, leading many drivers in Glasgow City to pay more than they initially expected.
Major lenders operating within the city include
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 companies provided finance agreements to local dealerships, which were then sold to consumers. The mis-selling issues revolve around
discretionary commission arrangements that benefited lenders at the expense of borrowers.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted a full investigation into motor finance practices in Glasgow City and across the UK from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This probe uncovered significant discrepancies in how discretionary commissions were handled, affecting an estimated 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026). The total cost of these mis-selling issues is estimated at £7.5 billion, with the average driver paying an extra £829 on their finance agreement (FCA estimate).
How Glasgow City Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
To determine if you have been affected by motor finance mis-selling, residents in Glasgow City should review their finance agreements carefully. Focus on documents signed at the time of purchase, particularly those related to loan terms and interest rates. Pay special attention to any clauses that mention discretionary commissions or additional fees.
The relevant dates for these agreements are from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. Gather all pertinent documentation, including contracts, payment receipts, and correspondence with lenders, to build a full case for your complaint.
If you suspect that your finance agreement was mis-sold, you can complain directly to your lender for free without needing the assistance of 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 are obligated to address your concerns promptly.
When contacting these lenders, provide detailed information about your agreement and any evidence of mis-selling. If you are unsatisfied with the lender's response, you can escalate your complaint to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS), a free service that provides impartial adjudication on financial disputes.
You do not need a claims management company to handle your case; you can manage it yourself through direct communication and documentation.
Sources and References
- FCA
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021
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.