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Approximately 16,774 drivers in Kingston upon Thames are estimated to be affected by motor finance mis-selling, based on calculations using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates. With a total population of 177,500 (ONS Census 2021), this issue has significant implications for many residents who may have entered into
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
How Motor Finance Mis-selling Affected Kingston upon Thames
Dealerships in Kingston upon Thames, such as Sytner Kingston upon Thames, Park Lane Kingston upon Thames, HR Owen Kingston upon Thames, and Lookers Kingston upon Thames, sold PCP and HP finance agreements to local residents. These dealerships often partnered with major lenders 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) to provide financing options for vehicle purchases.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into the motor finance industry due to concerns over
discretionary commission arrangements between dealerships and lenders. This practice allowed lenders to pay discretionary commissions based on the type of finance agreement a customer chose, which could have influenced sales staff to push more profitable but potentially less suitable options like PCP deals. As a result, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across the UK were affected, with an estimated total value of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate). The average mis-sold agreement is expected to be around £829 (FCA estimate).
How Kingston upon Thames Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
Residents in Kingston upon Thames who suspect they may have been victims of motor finance mis-selling should review their finance agreements carefully, focusing on the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. Key documents to gather include the original finance agreement, any communication with lenders or dealerships regarding changes to terms, and proof of payments made under the agreement.
You can complain directly to your lender for free without involving a
claims management company. Major lenders operating in Kingston upon Thames such as Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services (BMW) all have dedicated customer service teams who can handle complaints and provide redress where appropriate.
If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may escalate it to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS), which offers a free and impartial service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial companies. Remember, there's no need to engage with claims management companies as this process can be handled directly by you or through professional legal advice if necessary.
Sources and References
- FCA estimates on motor finance mis-selling: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), £7.5 billion total (FCA estimate), £829 average per eligible agreement.
- ONS Census 2021 population data for Kingston upon Thames.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation into discretionary commission arrangements.
- 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.