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Milton Keynes, a bustling town within Buckinghamshire in the South East region with a population of 287,100 (ONS Census 2021), has seen many affected drivers due to motor finance mis-selling practices. This figure is calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates.
How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Milton Keynes
Dealerships in Milton Keynes such as Caffyns Milton Keynes, Harwoods Milton Keynes, Lookers Milton Keynes, and Hendy Group Milton Keynes sold
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements to local residents. These dealerships worked with major lenders like
[Black Horse](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/black-horse) (Lloyds Banking Group),
MotoNovo Finance,
[Close Brothers](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/close-brothers-motor-finance) Motor Finance,
Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and
[Alphera](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/alphera-financial-services) Financial Services (BMW).
The motor finance industry in Milton Keynes was affected by the use of
[discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements. Dealers would receive additional payments from lenders for selling certain types of finance agreements. This practice incentivised dealers to push customers towards higher-cost financing options, which could lead to financial difficulties.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
In response to these practices, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance mis-selling. It was found that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by this issue from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 (FCA estimate). The total amount of overcharging across all agreements was £7.5 billion (FCA estimate) (FCA, March 2026).
The investigation revealed that discretionary commissions were a significant factor in the mis-selling, as they encouraged dealers to push customers into finance packages that might not be suitable for their financial circumstances.
How Milton Keynes Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
Milton Keynes residents who suspect they may have been affected by motor finance mis-selling can review their finance agreements carefully. Key dates to look out for include any agreement signed between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, as these fall within the FCA’s investigation period.
To check your agreement thoroughly:
- Review the terms and conditions of your finance contract.
- Look for any additional payments made by lenders that were not disclosed to you at the time of signing.
- Gather relevant documents such as loan agreements, correspondence with the lender, and payment records.
If you identify discrepancies or suspect mis-selling, it is important to take action promptly. You can
complain directly to your lender for free without needing a
claims management company.
How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
Residents who believe they have been affected by motor finance mis-selling should contact their lenders directly and lodge a complaint. The major lenders operating in Milton Keynes include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services (BMW).
When making your complaint:
- Provide detailed evidence of the issues you have identified.
- Follow up if there is no response within 8 weeks.
If your lender does not resolve your issue satisfactorily, you can escalate the matter to the
Financial Ombudsman Service for free. The
FOS provides an independent review and can make a fair decision on your behalf without any cost.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 2024
- Office for National Statistics Census 2021
- Local dealership groups: Caffyns Milton Keynes, Harwoods Milton Keynes, Lookers Milton Keynes, Hendy Group Milton Keynes
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.