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Motor Finance Claims Inverclyde — FCA Investigation

Last updated: 27 February 2026

Inverclyde — mlj.org.uk — Photo by Ollie Craig on Pexels

Inverclyde, a Scottish council area with a population of 77,000 (ONS Census 2021), has seen an estimated 7,276 affected drivers due to motor finance mis-selling from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, according to calculations using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates. This issue has raised concerns among residents about the fairness of their finance agreements when purchasing vehicles through local dealerships. ## How Motor Finance Mis-selling Affected Inverclyde Local dealerships such as Arnold Clark Inverclyde, Peter Vardy Inverclyde, Eastern Western Motor Group Inverclyde, and Macklin Motors Inverclyde were among the establishments that sold PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) and HP (Hire Purchase) finance agreements to residents. These agreements were often made with major lenders operating in the area, including 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). Dealerships in Inverclyde may have incentivised sales staff to push certain finance products through [discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements. This practice could lead to mis-selling, where customers were not given adequate information or were steered towards agreements that were not suitable for their financial situation. ## The FCA Motor Finance Investigation The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been investigating the motor finance industry since 2019, focusing on discretionary commission arrangements. These practices have affected an estimated 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) worth £7.5 billion in total (FCA estimate), with an average of £829 per agreement being overcharged or missold (FCA estimate). The investigation covers the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. The FCA's findings have led to several court rulings that highlight the widespread nature of mis-selling and its impact on consumers across Scotland, including Inverclyde. These rulings emphasise the need for transparency and fairness in financial products offered by dealerships and lenders. ## How Inverclyde Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements Inverclyde residents can check their finance agreements to see if they were affected by mis-selling. Key things to look for include: - Dates of Purchase: Ensure your agreement was made between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. - Finance Type: Confirm whether you took out a PCP or HP agreement. - Dealership Name: Verify if the dealership involved is one known to use discretionary commission arrangements. - Lender Details: Identify which major lender provided your finance agreement. Gathering documents such as loan agreements, receipts from payments made, and any correspondence with your lender will be crucial in assessing whether you were affected by mis-selling practices. You can then proceed to review these documents carefully against the FCA’s criteria for mis-selling. ## How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free If you believe your finance agreement was missold, you can complain directly to your lender without needing a [claims management company](https://mlj.org.uk/guides/complaints-about-claims-management-companies). Major lenders operating in Inverclyde 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; you can handle your complaint yourself by contacting your lender directly. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction after following their internal complaints process, you may escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for free. ## Sources and References - FCA estimates on motor finance agreements: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), £7.5 billion total, £829 average per eligible agreement. - Population data from ONS Census 2021. - Local dealership group names and major lenders operating in Inverclyde. - Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). - Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

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 Inverclyde might have been affected by motor finance mis-selling?

Based on ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates, approximately 7,276 drivers in Inverclyde could be affected by motor finance mis-selling.

What should I do if I think my motor finance agreement was mis-sold to me in Inverclyde?

If you believe your motor finance agreement might have been mis-sold, the first step is to review your contract and any communications from your lender. You can also complain directly to your lender for free without using a claims management company.

How does motor finance mis-selling typically occur in Inverclyde?

Motor finance mis-selling can happen when lenders fail to adequately assess the borrower's ability to repay or provide clear information about terms and conditions. This could lead to agreements that are unaffordable or unsuitable for consumers.

What is the estimated total value of motor finance agreements affected by mis-selling in Inverclyde?

Based on FCA estimates, the motor finance agreements potentially affected by mis-selling could amount to £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). It's important for residents to review their own agreements and understand their rights.

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.