The Aprilia Shiver 900 was commonly sold on personal contract purchase (PCP) and hire purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, which falls under the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) investigation into motor finance mis-selling practices. This investigation revealed significant issues with discretionary commission arrangements that affected millions of consumers across various motorcycle models, including the Shiver 900.
How the Aprilia Shiver 900 Was Typically Financed
When purchasing an Aprilia Shiver 900 on PCP or HP finance agreements during the FCA investigation period, customers typically financed amounts ranging from £5,000 to £15,000. These financing terms were commonly offered by major lenders such as Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn. The typical term for these agreements was 36 to 48 months, with a balloon payment at the end of the agreement for PCP deals.
Discretionary commission arrangements played a significant role in how these finance agreements were structured. These arrangements meant that lenders could receive additional commissions from dealerships based on the type of finance agreement chosen by customers, which sometimes led to higher costs and less transparent terms for consumers.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA investigation uncovered widespread mis-selling practices involving discretionary commission arrangements in motor finance products sold across the UK. According to the FCA's estimates, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), representing a total value of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). The average consumer lost around £829 per agreement due to these practices (FCA estimate).
The investigation revealed that many consumers were unknowingly enrolled in finance deals with hidden costs and less favourable terms than they might have expected or negotiated independently. This mis-selling impacted a wide range of motorbike models, including the Aprilia Shiver 900.
- Dates of Purchase: Ensure that your purchase occurred between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
- Finance Agreement Details: Look for any mention of discretionary commission arrangements or additional fees that seem out of place. Common terms to watch for include "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement) or "Dealer Contribution."
- Balloon Payments: If your agreement included a balloon payment at the end, it may be worth reviewing whether this was necessary based on your original purchase price and finance terms.
If you suspect that your Aprilia Shiver 900 finance agreement is affected by the FCA's findings, the first step is to contact your lender directly. Common lenders for Aprilia include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn.
When contacting your lender, it is essential to gather all relevant documentation such as your original finance agreement, purchase receipts, and any correspondence with your dealership. You do not need a claims management company to file a complaint; the process can be handled directly with your lender at no cost to you.
By providing evidence of potential mis-selling or additional costs incurred due to discretionary commission arrangements, you can initiate a formal complaint process with your lender. This approach ensures that your concerns are addressed without incurring unnecessary fees or third-party involvement.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). "Motor Finance Discretionary Commission Arrangements Investigation." 2024.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021.