Citroen C4 Motor Finance - Owner Information | MLJ.org.uk

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Citroen C4 Motor Finance - Owner Information | MLJ.org.uk

Last updated: 27 February 2026

The Citroen C4 was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, which coincides with a significant investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This investigation uncovered widespread mis-selling in motor finance practices across various car manufacturers and lenders. If you financed your Citroen C4 within this timeframe, it is essential to understand whether your agreement was affected and how to seek redress.

How the Citroen C4 Was Typically Financed

During the period of interest, consumers who purchased a Citroen C4 often opted for PCP or HP financing arrangements. These agreements typically ranged from £15,000 to £30,000 and were structured over terms of 36 to 48 months. Common lenders providing finance for the Citroen C4 included Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance. In PCP agreements, a balloon payment is usually required at the end of the term if you decide to keep the vehicle or buy it outright. This final payment can be substantial and may not always reflect the actual market value of the car at that time.

The FCA Motor Finance Investigation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements in motor finance, revealing that millions of agreements were potentially mis-sold during this period. According to the FCA estimate, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), amounting to a total sum of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) and averaging around £829 per agreement (FCA estimate). The investigation focused on how car manufacturers and dealerships paid commissions to lenders for steering customers towards certain finance products, often at higher interest rates than necessary. This practice may have led consumers into agreements that were not in their best financial interests.

How to Check Your Agreement Discretionary Commission Arrangement (DCA): Look for mentions of "discretionary commission" or similar terminology in your finance documentation.

2. Relevant Dates: Ensure that your agreement falls within the timeframe from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. 3. Finance Provider: Verify if your lender was one of those commonly associated with Citroen, such as Black Horse or Santander Consumer Finance. If you find evidence suggesting your finance deal might have been part of a DCA arrangement, it is advisable to seek further clarification from your lender.

How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free

You do not need a claims management company to address issues with your Citroen C4 finance agreement. Instead, you can complain directly to the lenders involved in your transaction without any cost. Common lenders associated with Citroen include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance. When contacting these lenders, provide detailed information about your concerns, including specific dates, contract details, and any evidence you have gathered regarding the discretionary commission arrangements (FCA estimate). By following a timeline-based approach to your complaint, documenting each step and response from your lender, you can effectively deal with this process without incurring additional fees.

Sources and References

Financial Conduct Authority (2024)
Office for National Statistics Census 2021

Citroen C4 MOT Pass Rate

Based on 154,946 MOT tests conducted in 2024 (source: DVSA anonymised test data), the Citroen C4 has a pass rate of 72.7%. This is below the national average of 79.6%, meaning the C4 has a higher-than-average failure rate in MOT testing.

The C4 pass rate is slightly below the overall Citroen average of 75.3%. The average mileage at MOT for this model is 85,226 miles.

MOT pass rate: 72.7%
MOT failure rate: 27.3%
Tests analysed: 154,946 (2024 DVSA data)
Average mileage at test: 85,226 miles
Citroen average pass rate: 75.3%
National average pass rate: 79.6%

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is motor finance mis-selling related to Citroen C4 vehicles?

Motor finance mis-selling refers to instances where lenders, such as banks or finance companies, sell car loans in a way that does not comply with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. This can include pressuring customers into taking out expensive deals on Citroen C4 cars when simpler and more affordable alternatives are available.

How many people have been affected by motor finance mis-selling for Citroen C4 vehicles?

An estimated 1.2 million individuals were impacted by motor finance mis-selling from April 6, 2007 to November 1, 2024 (FCA estimate). This includes those who bought Citroen C4 cars under potentially unfair deals.

How can I know if my Citroen C4 motor finance agreement is mis-sold?

You may have been affected if you were not fully informed about the costs and risks of your Citroen C4 finance deal, or if you felt pressured into taking out a loan that was too expensive compared to other available options at the time.

What should I do if I suspect my Citroen C4 motor finance agreement is mis-sold?

You can complain directly to your lender for free. They are required by law to review your case and potentially offer redress, such as a refund or compensation (FCA estimate). 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.