The Subaru WRX, known for its high-performance capabilities and distinctive design, 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. The FCA found that many of these agreements involved
discretionary commission arrangements between car dealerships and lenders, which could have resulted in inflated prices for consumers.
How the Subaru WRX was Typically Financed
Subaru WRX models were frequently financed through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Under PCP finance, customers would typically make monthly payments over a period of 36 to 48 months with a final balloon payment or option to buy the car outright at the end of the term. Typical finance amounts for a Subaru WRX ranged from £15,000 to £30,000 (FCA estimate). Common lenders that provided financing for the Subaru WRX included
Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Santander Consumer Finance.
In PCP agreements, a significant portion of the total cost was deferred until the end of the contract in the form of a balloon payment. This structure often led to higher overall costs for consumers if they chose not to purchase or refinance the car at the end of their term. these arrangements could involve hidden fees and commissions that were not transparently disclosed to buyers.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA's investigation into motor finance agreements uncovered widespread discretionary commission arrangements between dealerships and lenders, affecting 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) in total. These arrangements led to an estimated £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) overcharging for consumers across the industry (FCA estimate), with the average customer paying around £829 more than they should have due to inflated prices (FCA estimate).
Discretionary commissions were paid by lenders to dealerships based on a percentage of the finance agreement value, which incentivised selling higher-priced vehicles and financing products. This structure could result in consumers being unaware of additional costs or hidden fees associated with their agreements.
How to Check Your Agreement If it falls between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, there is a possibility that you may be affected by these discretionary commission arrangements. Specifically, look for terms such as "Discretionary Commission Arrangement" (DCA) or any mention of commissions in your agreement documentation.
If you notice discrepancies or additional charges, it’s advisable to gather all relevant documents and evidence pertaining to your finance agreement, including the original contract, payment records, and correspondence with lenders. This information will be crucial when submitting a complaint directly to your lender for free.
If you suspect that your Subaru WRX was financed under an affected arrangement, you can complain directly to your lender without the need for a
claims management company. Common lenders for Subaru WRX include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance.
To lodge a complaint effectively, ensure that you have all necessary documentation and evidence ready before contacting your lender. Provide clear details of any discrepancies or issues related to your finance agreement, including dates, amounts, and any communication with the dealership or lender. Remember, you do not need a claims management company; the process is straightforward and free when handled directly.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates on motor finance agreements: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) (£7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) total), £829 average per eligible agreement overcharge (FCA estimate).
- FOS guidance and resources for motor finance complaints.
- ONS Census data for relevant demographic statistics (ONS Census 2021).
Subaru Wrx [MOT Pass Rate](https://mlj.org.uk/tools/mot-statistics)
Based on 1,658 MOT tests conducted in 2024 (source: DVSA anonymised test data), the Subaru Wrx has a pass rate of 92.0%. This is above the national average of 79.6%, meaning the Wrx performs well in MOT testing.
The Wrx pass rate is better than the overall Subaru average of 81.1%. The average mileage at MOT for this model is 52,501 miles.
- MOT pass rate: 92.0%
- MOT failure rate: 8.0%
- Tests analysed: 1,658 (2024 DVSA data)
- Average mileage at test: 52,501 miles
- Subaru average pass rate: 81.1%
- National average pass rate: 79.6%
Data source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results 2024, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.