The Ducati Diavel, a powerful and distinctive motorbike known for its striking design and potent performance, 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. This investigation uncovered widespread issues with discretionary commission arrangements that affected millions of consumers who financed their Ducati Diavel through various lenders.
How the Ducati Diavel was Typically Financed
The Ducati Diavel, a high-performance motorcycle often sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike, typically required significant financing to purchase. Most agreements for this bike fell into the range of £5,000-£15,000 (FCA estimate). Common lenders that provided finance for the Ducati Diavel included
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Moneybarn.
These lenders often structured the financing through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements with terms ranging from 36 to 48 months. PCP plans typically involved lower monthly payments compared to HP agreements but required a lump sum payment at the end of the term known as a balloon or optional final payment, which could be substantial.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements in motor finance, focusing on the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This inquiry revealed that millions of consumers were affected by these arrangements. Specifically, the FCA estimated that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) were impacted across various vehicle models and brands, resulting in over £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) in total mis-selling (FCA estimate). The average loss per consumer was approximately £829 (FCA estimate).
Discretionary commissions were payments made to dealers by lenders based on the type of finance agreement a customer chose. These arrangements could incentivise dealers to push customers towards more expensive financing options that might not have been in their best interests.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for specific mentions of discretionary commissions or "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement) in your documentation. If such language appears, it suggests that your financing may have been part of the investigation.
Relevant dates to consider are those falling within the FCA’s defined period: from 6 April 2007 up until 1 November 2024. Any agreement signed during this time frame should be carefully examined for potential mis-selling issues.
If you suspect that your Ducati Diavel finance agreement was affected by the FCA investigation, it is important to take action directly with your lender. Common lenders like Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn all have dedicated customer service teams who can address your concerns.
You do not need a claims management company to handle this process; you can complain directly to your lender for free. Provide them with detailed information about the issues you encountered when financing your Ducati Diavel, including any evidence that suggests discretionary commissions were involved in your agreement.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 2024: Investigation into Discretionary Commission Arrangements in Motor Finance
- FOS Guidance on Financial Services Complaints
By understanding these key points and taking direct action, you can seek redress for any potential mis-selling issues related to your Ducati Diavel finance agreement.