The Nissan Ariya, a modern electric vehicle (EV) from the Japanese automaker Nissan, was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) investigation period, which ran from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This period saw many consumers purchasing their Ariyas through various motor finance schemes that could potentially be mis-sold or unfairly structured.
How the Nissan Ariya was Typically Financed
Nissan Ariya buyers often financed their purchases through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements, with typical loan amounts ranging from £15,000 to £30,000. PCP terms usually spanned 36 to 48 months and were offered by several common lenders such as
Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Santander Consumer Finance.
In a typical PCP agreement for the Nissan Ariya, customers would make monthly payments while retaining ownership of the vehicle during the term. At the end of the contract, consumers have the option to return the car or purchase it outright at an agreed-upon balloon payment. This structure allowed buyers to manage their budgets more effectively but also introduced complexities around residual values and potential hidden costs.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a full investigation into motor finance agreements, focusing on
discretionary commission arrangements made between car dealerships and lenders during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This probe uncovered widespread practices where car dealers were incentivised by higher commissions for steering customers towards more expensive PCP deals rather than cheaper HP or cash options.
The FCA’s investigation found that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) had been affected, with a total mis-selling cost estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). On average, each affected agreement was overcharged by around £829 (FCA estimate), highlighting the significant financial impact on consumers who were unaware of these practices.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for phrases such as "Discretionary Commission Arrangement" (DCA) or similar terms indicating that higher commissions were paid to dealers based on more costly financing options.
check if the date of your finance agreement falls within the FCA’s investigation period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. If you find any discrepancies or suspect that your deal was influenced by DCAs, it is advisable to seek clarification directly with your lender.
If you believe your Nissan Ariya finance agreement may have been affected by the FCA investigation, you can start the complaint process directly with your lender without needing a
claims management company. Common lenders such as Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance all offer free channels for customers to raise concerns about potential mis-selling.
By contacting these lenders directly, you can provide evidence from your finance agreement that indicates any irregularities or inflated costs due to DCAs. It is crucial to gather and present all relevant documents and details clearly in your complaint to support your case effectively. Remember, you do not need a claims management company; you can handle the process independently for free.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 2024
- Office of National Statistics Census Data (ONS Census 2021)