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Bentley Car Finance Mis-Selling — FCA Investigation

Last updated: 26 February 2026

Bentley cars have long been synonymous with luxury and performance. During the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, many Bentley buyers opted for Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements to make their dream car a reality. However, this era of high-end automotive financing was marred by widespread concerns over the transparency and fairness of motor finance practices among lenders. ## How Bentley Cars Were Financed Bentley cars were commonly financed through various financial institutions that cater to premium vehicle sales. Common lenders for Bentley include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance. These lenders typically offered PCP and HP finance agreements tailored to the high-end market segment. Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) allowed buyers to make affordable monthly payments while retaining the option to return the car at the end of the agreement or purchase it for a predetermined balloon payment. Hire Purchase (HP), on the other hand, required customers to pay off the entire loan amount plus interest over an agreed period, with full ownership transferred upon completion. ## The FCA Motor Finance Investigation The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted a full investigation into motor finance practices during the aforementioned period. One of the primary concerns was discretionary commission arrangements between lenders and dealerships. These arrangements allowed dealers to receive additional payments from lenders for each finance agreement they facilitated, potentially influencing how deals were structured. This investigation revealed that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across various brands, including Bentley, may have been affected by these practices. The total value of the loans involved was estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA estimate), with an average mis-sold amount per agreement being around £829 (FCA estimate). This investigation highlighted significant issues related to transparency and fairness in motor finance agreements. ## How to Check Your Agreement If it falls within the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 and includes a PCP or HP arrangement, there may be grounds for concern. check if your dealer received additional payments from lenders based on the number of finance agreements facilitated. If you suspect that your agreement was affected, it is advisable to gather all relevant documentation such as loan contracts, payment schedules, and correspondence with your lender. These documents will help you build a case when seeking further information or filing a complaint. ## How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free You do not need a claims management company to address issues related to motor finance mis-selling. Common lenders such as Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance all have dedicated teams to handle customer complaints. By reaching out directly, you can provide them with the necessary details of your agreement and any evidence that suggests a problem. When complaining, clearly state your concerns about potential mis-selling practices and request an investigation into your finance agreement. Lenders are legally obligated to respond to your complaint within a reasonable timeframe and should provide you with feedback on their findings. ## Sources and References - Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates for the number of agreements affected: 12.1 million (FCA estimate) - Total value of loans involved in motor finance mis-selling: £7.5 billion (FCA estimate) - Average mis-sold amount per agreement: £829 (FCA estimate) These sources provide a full understanding of the issues related to motor finance mis-selling and guide individuals on how to proceed with complaints directly with lenders.

FCA Compensation: FCA Scheme Figures

The FCA confirmed on 30 March 2026 that 12.1 million motor finance agreements are covered by the FCA redress scheme. The FCA-estimated scheme average of £829 per eligible agreement per agreement, with a total of £7.5 billion set aside for consumers. The scheme covers PCP and HP agreements entered into between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.

Two separate schemes apply: post-2014 agreements (implement by 30 June 2026) and pre-2014 agreements (implement by 31 August 2026). 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.

Bentley MOT Pass Rate — 2024 Data

Across 20,841 MOT tests in 2024, Bentley vehicles have an overall pass rate of 92.8%. This is above the national average of 79.6%. DVSA data covers 17 Bentley models with sufficient test volume.

Overall pass rate: 92.8%
Total MOT tests (2024): 20,841
Models with data: 17
National average: 79.6%

Best Bentley models for MOT pass rate

Bentley Bentayga: 96.2% pass rate (2,348 tests)
Bentley Continental Gt: 95.8% pass rate (2,571 tests)
Bentley Continental Gt V8 Auto: 95.4% pass rate (702 tests)
Bentley Flying Spur: 94.3% pass rate (645 tests)
Bentley Mulsanne: 94.2% pass rate (907 tests)

Bentley models with lowest MOT pass rate

Bentley Flying Spur: 94.3% pass rate (645 tests)
Bentley Mulsanne: 94.2% pass rate (907 tests)
Bentley Continental: 91.8% pass rate (9,772 tests)
Bentley Arnage: 89.2% pass rate (1,380 tests)
Bentley Turbo: 86.9% pass rate (786 tests)

Bentley MOT Reliability Trend (2022-2024)

Bentley has been getting more reliable, improving from 91.9% in 2022 to 92.8% in 2024 (+0.9 percentage points).

2022: 91.9% pass rate (22,828 tests)
2023: 92.5% pass rate (23,294 tests)
2024: 92.8% pass rate (20,841 tests)

Based on 66,963 MOT tests across three years (DVSA open data).

Data source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results 2024, Open Government Licence v3.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is motor finance mis-selling involving Bentley cars?

Motor finance mis-selling refers to situations where lenders provide misleading or inappropriate financial advice for purchasing a car like a Bentley. This can include overestimating the value of the vehicle, failing to disclose all costs, or pushing customers into agreements they cannot afford.

How many people have been affected by motor finance mis-selling involving Bentley cars from April 2007 to November 2024?

It's estimated that 12.1 million eligible agreements, including potential instances involving Bentley cars, may have suffered from mis-selling issues during this period (FCA estimate).

What should I do if I suspect I was a victim of motor finance mis-selling when purchasing my Bentley?

You can complain directly to your lender for free and seek clarification on any misleading information provided about the financial agreement. It is important to understand all terms and conditions before proceeding with any form of car financing.

Is it necessary to use a claims management company if I believe my Bentley motor finance was mis-sold?

You do not need a claims management company; you can address the issue directly through your lender’s complaint process. This is often more straightforward and less costly than involving third parties.

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.