The Nissan 370Z, a high-performance sports car renowned for its sleek design and powerful engine, 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 period saw widespread concern over
discretionary commission arrangements in motor finance, affecting millions of consumers across the UK.
How the Nissan 370Z was Typically Financed
The Nissan 370Z was frequently financed through PCP agreements with typical amounts ranging from £15,000 to £30,000. These agreements often spanned a term of 36 to 48 months, providing customers with the flexibility to manage their payments over an extended period while retaining ownership options at the end of the contract. Common lenders for Nissan vehicles during this timeframe included
Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Santander Consumer Finance.
Balloon payments were a key feature in PCP agreements, often set to cover residual value or early settlement costs if the vehicle was returned at the end of the term. This made it crucial for consumers to fully understand their obligations and the implications of any early termination clauses.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA launched an investigation into motor finance practices during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, focusing on discretionary commission arrangements. These commissions were often paid by lenders to retailers for each finance agreement completed, potentially creating conflicts of interest that could lead to mis-selling and unfair terms.
The FCA's findings indicated that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) were affected across the UK, with a total value of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). On average, consumers received refunds of around £829 (FCA estimate), highlighting the significant impact of these arrangements on financial products.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for specific phrases such as "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement) or similar references indicating that a sales incentive was involved in the financing process.
The critical dates to consider are from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, during which time the FCA's investigation covered any agreements involving motor finance products sold at Nissan dealerships. If you find evidence of such practices or if your agreement fits within this timeframe, it is advisable to proceed with a formal complaint.
If you believe that your Nissan 370Z finance agreement was affected by discretionary commission arrangements, you can complain directly to your lender at no cost. Common lenders for the Nissan 370Z include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
When lodging a complaint, ensure that you provide detailed documentation supporting your claims and follow the specific procedures outlined by your lender. You do not need to engage a
claims management company; all complaints can be handled directly with your finance provider for free.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). (2024). FCA Motor Finance Investigation.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Based on 146 MOT tests conducted in 2024 (source: DVSA anonymised test data), the Nissan 370Z has a pass rate of 95.9%. This is above the national average of 79.6%, meaning the 370Z performs well in MOT testing.
The 370Z pass rate is better than the overall Nissan average of 77.7%. The average mileage at MOT for this model is 24,911 miles.
- MOT pass rate: 95.9%
- MOT failure rate: 4.1%
- Tests analysed: 146 (2024 DVSA data)
- Average mileage at test: 24,911 miles
- Nissan average pass rate: 77.7%
- National average pass rate: 79.6%
Data source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results 2024, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.