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Kettering, a town with a population of 102,300 (ONS Census 2021), has been significantly affected by motor finance mis-selling. According to calculations using ONS Census data and FCA estimates, around 9,667 drivers in Kettering may have fallen victim to improper sales practices between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Kettering
Local dealerships such as Inchcape Kettering, Pendragon Kettering, Marshall Motor Group Kettering, and Sytner Kettering sold
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements to many residents. 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). The sales practices at these dealerships were influenced by
[discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements that incentivised staff to push finance deals over more suitable alternatives.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into the widespread mis-selling of PCP and HP agreements from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This period saw 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), representing £7.5 billion in total losses for consumers (FCA, March 2026). The investigation highlighted how discretionary commission arrangements led sales staff to prioritise more profitable finance deals over customers' best interests.
How Kettering Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
If you suspect that your motor finance agreement was mis-sold, there are several steps you can take. First, review the dates of your finance agreement to ensure it falls within the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. Gather all relevant documentation such as loan agreements, receipts, and communication records with lenders or dealerships. Look for evidence that suggests misleading information was provided about the terms and conditions of the finance deal.
You can complain directly to your lender for free without needing a
claims management company. If you purchased your vehicle from Inchcape Kettering, Pendragon Kettering, Marshall Motor Group Kettering, or Sytner Kettering and used lenders like Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, or Alphera Financial Services (BMW), you should contact them immediately to lodge your complaint. You do not need a claims management company to handle your case; the process can be managed directly with the lender.
If your lender does not resolve your issue satisfactorily, you can escalate your complaint to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS) for free and impartial resolution.
Sources and References
- ONS Census 2021
- FCA estimates (6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024)
- 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.