The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has estimated that 12.1 million eligible agreements were affected by mis-selling practices between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, impacting a significant number of Scottish residents who purchased cars from manufacturers like Citroen. Given Scotland's population of around 5.436 million (ONS Census 2021), it is estimated that up to 513,759 individuals in Scotland may have been affected by these mis-selling practices, particularly those who financed their Citroen cars through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP).
Citroen Car Finance in Scotland
In Scotland, residents commonly finance their Citroen vehicles through various car finance options such as PCP and HP. These agreements are often arranged with major lenders including banks and specialist motor finance companies. While these financing methods can be convenient for purchasing a new or used Citroen vehicle, they also come with the risk of mis-selling. For instance, individuals might have been sold products that were not suitable for their financial situation, such as insurance protection products like Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance.
How Scotland Residents Can Check Their Citroen Finance Agreement
Scottish residents who financed their Citroen cars during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 should review their finance agreements carefully. Key things to look for include:
- Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs): These are additional fees that might have been included in your agreement without clear disclosure.
- Interest rates: Ensure the interest rate is fair and transparent, especially if you were given a higher rate than what was advertised.
- Protection products: Check if you were sold unnecessary protection products that increased the overall cost of your finance agreement.
Key dates to consider include:
- The start date of your car finance agreement
- Any additional product add-ons and their associated fees
Complaining to Your Lender for Free
Residents in Scotland who suspect they have been affected by mis-sold car finance agreements can complain directly to their lender for free. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
- Gather Documentation: Collect all relevant documents such as the original finance agreement, any communications with your lender, and any receipts or invoices.
- Contact Your Lender: Reach out to your Citroen car finance provider by phone or email. Clearly explain your concerns about mis-selling practices that may have occurred during the specified period.
- Follow Up: If you do not receive a response within 8 weeks, escalate the complaint through their internal complaints process. Most lenders will provide guidance on how to proceed with internal escalation.
- Seek External Help if Needed: If your lender does not resolve your issue satisfactorily, you can take your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for free.
It is important to remember that you do not need a [claims management company](https://mlj.org.uk/guides/complaints-about-claims-management-companies); you can handle everything yourself and complain directly to your lender. The FCA has estimated an FCA-estimated scheme average of £829 per eligible agreement per affected individual, with a total amount of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) potentially due to those who were mis-sold car finance products.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Citroen Finance Claims in Scotland
With a population of approximately 5,450,000, an estimated 1,138,805 motor finance agreements in Scotland may have been affected by discretionary commission arrangements (FCA estimate). Eligible motor finance agreements run from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 (FCA, March 2026).
Citroen Safety Recalls
Citroen has had 684 safety recalls across 65 models, according to the DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch. The most recalled models are: C3 (68 recalls), C4 (56 recalls), Spacetourer (49 recalls), Berlingo (43 recalls), Dispatch (34 recalls). Check if your Citroen has an outstanding recall.