The Subaru Crosstrek was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the FCA investigation period, which ran from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. During this time, many customers who financed their Subaru Crosstreks may have been affected by motor finance mis-selling practices.
How the Subaru Crosstrek was Typically Financed
Subaru Crosstreks were often purchased through PCP and HP agreements that ranged from £15,000 to £30,000. Typical terms for these finance arrangements included periods of 36 to 48 months. Some common lenders providing finance for Subaru Crosstreks during this period include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
Under PCP agreements, customers would make monthly payments over the term of their loan while also paying a balloon payment at the end of the agreement. This final amount often covered the residual value of the vehicle. The balloon payment was designed to give consumers the option to purchase the car outright or return it and choose another model.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance mis-selling practices, focusing on discretionary commission arrangements. These arrangements allowed lenders and dealers to receive additional payments when customers chose certain finance options for their Subaru Crosstreks. This practice led to inflated costs for consumers.
According to the FCA's findings, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these practices during the investigation period (FCA estimate). The total amount mis-sold was estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) (FCA, March 2026).
How to Check Your Agreement Look for any clauses or terms that mention discretionary commissions or additional payments made to dealers or lenders. If your agreement includes a section marked "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement), this could indicate potential mis-selling.
Relevant dates are also crucial: agreements made between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 fall under the FCA investigation period. Reviewing these documents carefully can help you identify if your finance agreement was influenced by discretionary commission arrangements, leading to inflated costs for your Subaru Crosstrek.
If you suspect that your Subaru Crosstrek finance agreement has been affected by motor finance mis-selling practices, you have the right to complain directly to your lender without incurring any additional fees. Common lenders for Subaru Crosstreks include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
When contacting your lender, be sure to provide them with a copy of your finance agreement and any other relevant documentation that supports your claim. Clearly state the issues you have identified in your agreement and request a review of your case. You do not need to hire a claims management company or solicitor; most lenders offer free internal complaint processes.
You can complain directly to your lender for free, and this is often the quickest way to resolve any issues related to motor finance mis-selling practices (FCA estimate).
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority. (2024). Motor Finance Investigation: Discretionary Commission Arrangements.
- Financial Ombudsman Service. (2023). Guidance for Consumers on Motor Finance Mis-Selling Claims.
- Office for National Statistics Census 2021.
By following these steps, you can address any concerns about your Subaru Crosstrek finance agreement and seek resolution directly with your lender without incurring unnecessary costs or fees.