The Suzuki Baleno was commonly sold on
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the FCA investigation period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This popular compact car, known for its affordability and reliability, was often financed through these arrangements, leading many consumers to question whether their agreements were affected by mis-selling practices.
How the Suzuki Baleno Was Typically Financed
The typical finance amount for a Suzuki Baleno during this period ranged from £15,000 to £30,000, with Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) being a popular choice. PCP terms generally lasted between 36 and 48 months, providing flexible options such as balloon payments at the end of the term. Common lenders for Suzuki Baleno finance agreements included
Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Santander Consumer Finance.
Balloon payments are significant final payments that can be deferred until the end of a PCP agreement. These payments represent a large portion of the car's residual value and play a crucial role in determining the overall cost of the finance deal. Understanding these terms is essential for consumers looking to assess whether their Suzuki Baleno finance agreement was affected by mis-selling practices.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted an extensive investigation into motor finance agreements, focusing on
discretionary commission arrangements between lenders and retailers. These arrangements allowed dealerships to receive additional payments based on the type of finance deal chosen by customers, which could incentivise them to push higher-cost options such as PCP deals.
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 involved was estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026), with an average mis-sold agreement costing consumers approximately £829 each (FCA estimate).
How to Check Your Agreement Look for any references to discretionary commission arrangements or additional payments made by the lender to the retailer. Specific dates are critical; agreements signed between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 fall under the FCA investigation.
Another key indicator is whether your agreement includes a term such as "Deferred Conditional Agreement" (DCA). This terminology suggests that the finance deal was structured in a way that may have involved higher costs due to discretionary commissions. If you find any of these elements, it's important to investigate further and consider seeking advice from an independent financial advisor or legal expert.
If you believe your Suzuki Baleno finance agreement was mis-sold, the first step is to complain directly to your lender. Common lenders include Black Horse, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Santander Consumer Finance. Each of these institutions has a dedicated complaints procedure designed to address customer concerns.
You do not need a
claims management company to handle your complaint. Most lenders provide clear instructions on how to submit a complaint online or via mail. It is often more cost-effective and efficient to manage the process yourself. Lenders are required by law to respond within eight weeks, providing you with an initial assessment of your case.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). "Motor Finance Discretionary Commission Arrangements: Finalised Guidance." (2024)
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021
Based on 5,249 MOT tests conducted in 2024 (source: DVSA anonymised test data), the Suzuki Baleno has a pass rate of 81.8%. This is close to the national average of 79.6%, meaning the Baleno performs about average in MOT testing.
The Baleno pass rate is in line with the overall Suzuki average of 83.6%. The average mileage at MOT for this model is 46,419 miles.
- MOT pass rate: 81.8%
- MOT failure rate: 18.2%
- Tests analysed: 5,249 (2024 DVSA data)
- Average mileage at test: 46,419 miles
- Suzuki average pass rate: 83.6%
- National average pass rate: 79.6%
Data source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results 2024, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.