Motor Finance Claims Swindon - FCA Mis-Selling Investigation

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Motor Finance Claims Swindon - FCA Mis-Selling Investigation

Last updated: 27 February 2026

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Swindon, a town with a population of 233,400 (ONS Census 2021), has seen an estimated 22,056 residents affected by motor finance mis-selling between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, based on calculations using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates. This issue highlights the importance of understanding how motor finance agreements were sold in the area.

How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Swindon

Local dealerships such as Vospers Swindon, Hendy Group Swindon, Dick Lovett Swindon, and Wessex Garages Swindon played a significant role in selling Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements. Major lenders operating in the area include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), [MotoNovo](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/motonovo-finance) Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, [Santander Consumer Finance](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/santander-consumer-finance), Barclays Partner Finance, and [Alphera](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/alphera-financial-services) Financial Services (BMW). These dealerships and lenders were involved in selling motor finance agreements that may have been mis-sold due to [discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements.

The FCA Motor Finance Investigation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted an investigation into the sale of motor finance agreements from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This period saw 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by potential mis-selling practices (FCA estimate), resulting in a total of £7.5 billion in mis-sold finances (FCA estimate) with an FCA-estimated scheme average of £829 per eligible agreement per customer (FCA estimate). The investigation uncovered that some dealerships and lenders were involved in discretionary commission arrangements, where salespeople could receive higher commissions for pushing customers towards more expensive finance deals.

How Swindon Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements

Swindon residents who suspect they may have been affected by motor finance mis-selling should review their agreements carefully. Key dates to look at are between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, as these fall within the FCA investigation period. To check your finance agreement, gather all relevant documents such as loan contracts, payment slips, and any correspondence with your lender or dealership. Reviewing these documents can help you identify if your agreement was sold under potentially misleading terms.

How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free

If you believe that your motor finance agreement was mis-sold, it is important to know that you do not need a [claims management company](https://mlj.org.uk/guides/complaints-about-claims-management-companies) to handle your complaint. You can complain directly to your lender for free. Major lenders operating in Swindon include Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, and Alphera Financial Services (BMW). These companies have procedures in place to handle customer complaints efficiently. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), a free and independent service that investigates disputes between consumers and financial firms. The FOS provides a fair resolution process without charging any fees.

Sources and References

Financial Conduct Authority (2024)
Office for National Statistics Census 2021
MLJ.org.uk (mlj.org.uk)
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 Swindon might have been affected by motor finance mis-selling?

Based on calculated estimates using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates, approximately 22,056 drivers in Swindon may be affected by motor finance mis-selling.

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

If you believe your motor finance agreement was mis-sold, the first step is to contact your lender directly for free. You can also seek independent advice from a solicitor or legal advisor specializing in consumer credit law.

Why might I have been affected by motor finance mis-selling in Swindon?

Motor finance agreements were often sold without proper consideration of the borrower's ability to repay, leading to over-indebtedness. This was particularly prevalent from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 when the FCA estimated that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) were potentially mis-sold across the UK.

What should I do if I believe my motor finance agreement was not suitable for me?

If you think your motor finance agreement is unsuitable, it’s important to contact the lender directly first. They can provide information and guidance on resolving any issues with the agreement. You do not need a claims management company.

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.