The MG HS PHEV, a popular plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) investigation period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This investigation uncovered widespread mis-selling practices involving discretionary commission arrangements, affecting millions of car buyers across the UK.
How the MG HS PHEV was Typically Financed
The MG HS PHEV was often financed through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Typical finance amounts ranged from £15,000 to £30,000 with a term of 36 to 48 months. Common lenders for the MG HS PHEV included Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
PCP agreements often featured a balloon payment at the end of the agreement, which could be higher than expected based on the vehicle’s residual value. This structure can make it difficult for consumers to predict their final costs accurately. Balloon payments are typically larger in hybrid vehicles like the MG HS PHEV due to the fluctuating resale values influenced by battery life and technological advancements.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA's investigation into motor finance highlighted significant issues with discretionary commission arrangements, where car dealers received additional payments based on the type of finance agreement chosen. This led to potential mis-selling, as customers were often pushed towards more expensive PCP deals rather than HP or cash purchases that might have been more suitable.
According to the FCA’s findings, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) were affected by these practices, resulting in an estimated £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) in overcharges (FCA estimate). The average customer was overcharged by around £829 (FCA estimate), a substantial sum that adds up across millions of cases.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for evidence of discretionary commission arrangements or any indication that you were steered towards a more expensive financing option than necessary. Key dates to consider are from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024.
In particular, pay attention to whether your agreement includes the term “DCA” (Discretionary Commission Arrangement). If your finance contract was signed during this period and includes DCA-related language, it is highly likely that you were part of a mis-selling case. You can also check with your lender for any additional information regarding DCA practices.
If you suspect that your MG HS PHEV finance agreement was affected by the FCA’s findings, you can complain directly to your lender without needing a claims management company. Common lenders for the MG HS PHEV include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
When contacting your lender, provide detailed information about your agreement, any evidence of mis-selling practices, and specific dates when the finance was arranged. Your lender is required to address your complaint fairly and without charge. You do not need a claims management company to handle this process for you; handling it directly can save time and money.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates
- Office for National Statistics Census 2021