Zuto, an online car finance comparison and broker platform owned by Zuto Ltd, is facing scrutiny from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) following a significant investigation into discretionary commission arrangements. The FCA's examination has led to substantial changes in how lenders operate within the car finance industry, affecting millions of consumers.
Latest: The FCA has confirmed the car finance compensation scheme on 30 March 2026. 12.1 million agreements are eligible, with an FCA-estimated scheme average of £829 per eligible agreement. Read the full details.
Who is Zuto?
Zuto operates as an online platform that helps individuals and businesses compare different car finance deals from various providers. As part of its services, it brokers agreements for a range of vehicles primarily focusing on cars. The parent company, Zuto Ltd, provides this service through its website at https://www.zuto.com/.
What Happened?
The FCA launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) across the car finance industry. These DCAs were found to have incentivised lenders and brokers to recommend certain products without always being in the best interest of consumers. The regulator identified that some car finance agreements may have been sold with higher costs than necessary, leading to potential mis-selling.
How Many People Are Affected?
The FCA's investigation has revealed significant implications for consumers who took out car finance agreements between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. According to the regulator’s estimates, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) may have been affected by this issue, with an estimated total redress of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate). On average, consumers could be entitled to receive compensation of approximately £829 (FCA estimate) if they were impacted by mis-selling.
If you believe that your car finance agreement with Zuto was affected by the issues highlighted in the FCA investigation, you have the right to
complain directly to them. You can submit a complaint via their dedicated complaints page at https://www.zuto.com/complaints/. Alternatively, you can contact Zuto through the following methods:
- Phone: 0161 850 3792
- Email: complaints@zuto.com
- Post: Zuto, Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester M12 6JH
When submitting your complaint, ensure you provide all relevant details about the agreement and any issues you experienced. Remember, you can complain to Zuto directly for free at https://www.zuto.com/complaints/ - you do not need a claims management company.
What to Do Next?
Before initiating a formal complaint with Zuto, take some time to gather all relevant documents related to your car finance agreement. This includes loan agreements, payment history, and any correspondence with the lender. Check if your agreement was made within the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. If you believe that your agreement may have been impacted by DCAs, prepare a detailed complaint outlining your concerns.
Timeline
Upon submitting your complaint to Zuto, the company is required to respond to you within eight weeks of receiving it. This period allows them time to review your case and provide a full response. Should you not receive a satisfactory resolution from Zuto after this period, or if you feel that your complaint has been unfairly handled, you can escalate the matter to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (
FOS). The FOS provides an independent service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial services providers.
By following these steps and using the resources provided by Zuto directly, you can seek redress for any potential mis-selling in your car finance agreement.
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MLJ.org.uk (mlj.org.uk) is a free, independent information service. We are not a claims management company, solicitor, law firm, or financial adviser. We do not handle complaints, process claims, charge fees, or accept any percentage of compensation. This information does not constitute legal or financial advice. You can complain to your lender directly for free. You do not need a claims management company. If your lender rejects your complaint, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service at no cost. For personalised legal or financial advice, consult a qualified professional.