The DS DS 4, a compact executive car launched in 2019, was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This makes it a vehicle of interest for those looking into motor finance mis-selling issues.
How the DS DS 4 was Typically Financed
The DS DS 4, often purchased through dealership financing options, saw typical PCP and HP finance agreements ranging from £15,000 to £30,000. These agreements were commonly offered by major lenders such as
Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Santander Consumer Finance. The terms usually spanned 36 to 48 months, with some PCP agreements featuring a balloon payment at the end of the term.
PCP finance typically allowed drivers to make lower monthly payments during the contract period, with a significant lump sum (the balloon payment) due at the end when the car could either be bought outright or returned. HP terms required regular monthly repayments over an agreed period without any balloon payment, offering ownership of the vehicle upon completion.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA investigation uncovered that certain
discretionary commission arrangements between lenders and retailers resulted in motor finance agreements being sold under unfair conditions. These practices affected 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) during the specified timeframe (FCA estimate), with an estimated total value of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) across these contracts. On average, each agreement was mis-sold by around £829 (FCA estimate).
Discretionary commissions allowed retailers to receive additional payments from lenders if they were able to sell more expensive finance agreements or loans with higher interest rates and fees. This incentivised the sale of more profitable but less suitable deals for consumers, leading to widespread mis-selling.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for phrases such as "Discretionary Commission Arrangement" (DCA) or similar terminology indicating that the lender paid a commission based on the type of finance and terms agreed upon.
Relevant dates to consider are from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, during which the FCA investigation period was active. If your agreement falls within this timeframe, you should scrutinise it for any signs of mis-selling practices that could have resulted in overpayment or other financial disadvantages.
If you suspect that your DS DS 4 finance agreement has been affected by the FCA investigation's findings on discretionary commission arrangements, you can complain directly to your lender without needing a
claims management company. Common lenders include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
When initiating a complaint, gather evidence such as copies of your finance agreement, payment records, and any relevant correspondence with the lender or dealership. Use this information to outline your concerns clearly in your complaint letter or email. Your lender is required by law to address these issues promptly and fairly.
Remember, you do not need a claims management company to handle your complaint; many lenders have dedicated teams ready to assist customers directly.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates on mis-selling figures: https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/notes-and-statements/motor-finance-discretionary-commission-arrangements
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) guidance on motor finance complaints: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/guidance/consumer-guides/motor-finance/