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Warwickshire, a county with a population of 588,000 (ONS Census 2021), has seen an estimated 55,566 residents potentially affected by motor finance mis-selling practices between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 (calculated using ONS Census 2021 population data and FCA estimates). This figure highlights the significant impact these issues have had on local drivers.
## How Motor Finance Mis-Selling Affected Warwickshire
Motor finance mis-selling in Warwickshire involved various dealership groups that sold
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Local dealerships such as Sytner Warwickshire, Pendragon Warwickshire, Listers Group Warwickshire, and John Clark Motor Group Warwickshire were among those responsible for selling these products to consumers. Major lenders operating in the area included
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).
These dealerships often used
discretionary commission arrangements that incentivised sales staff to push motor finance products over other forms of financing. This practice led to an estimated 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) being affected across the UK during the specified period (FCA estimate), with a total amount of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate) involved, and an average compensation per claimant estimated at £829 (FCA estimate).
## The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) investigation into motor finance mis-selling revealed that many dealerships had engaged in practices where sales staff received extra commissions for selling specific products. These discretionary arrangements often led to customers being sold PCP or HP agreements, which may not have been the most suitable option for them at the time of purchase.
The FCA found that these commission structures could lead to a conflict of interest between the salesperson's incentives and the customer’s best interests. This resulted in many consumers ending up with finance agreements that were unsuitable due to factors such as high monthly repayments or lack of transparency regarding total costs.
## How Warwickshire Residents Can Check Their Finance Agreements
Warwickshire residents who suspect they may have been affected by motor finance mis-selling should review their finance agreement documentation carefully. Key aspects to examine include:
-
Dates: Any agreements entered into between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
-
Details of the sales process: Look for any evidence that suggests pressure was applied or that alternative financing options were not considered adequately.
-
Documentation: Gather all relevant documents, including the finance agreement, payment schedules, and any correspondence with the lender.
By thoroughly reviewing these materials, residents can determine if their agreements may have been mis-sold. If there is a reasonable suspicion of mis-selling based on this review, it is advisable to proceed with filing a complaint directly with your lender.
## How to
Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
If you suspect that your motor finance agreement was mis-sold by one of the major lenders operating in Warwickshire-such as Black Horse, MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, or Alphera Financial Services-you can complain directly to them for free. You do not need a
claims management company; many local dealerships have dedicated teams to handle these complaints.
It is important to provide detailed evidence of your case when making the complaint. This includes all relevant documents and any correspondence with the lender. If you are unsatisfied with the response from your lender, you can escalate the matter to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS), which provides a free and impartial service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial services providers.
## Sources and References
- FCA estimates on mis-selling: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), £7.5 billion total, £829 average per eligible agreement compensation per claimant
- Population data: ONS Census 2021
- Dealership groups: Sytner Warwickshire, Pendragon Warwickshire, Listers Group Warwickshire, John Clark Motor Group Warwickshire
- Major lenders operating in Warwickshire: Black Horse (Lloyds Banking Group), MotoNovo Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Santander Consumer Finance, Barclays Partner Finance, Alphera Financial Services (BMW)
- FOS as a free escalation route
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.