The Harley-Davidson Street Bob is a popular motorbike model that was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) investigation period, which ran from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This period saw numerous instances of motor finance mis-selling across the UK, affecting millions of consumers who took out loans for their cherished vehicles.
How the Harley-Davidson Street Bob was Typically Financed
During the investigation period, the Harley-Davidson Street Bob was often financed through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. These finance arrangements allowed customers to purchase the motorbike over a specified term, typically ranging from 36 to 48 months for PCP plans. The typical finance amount for a Harley-Davidson Street Bob ranged between £5,000 and £15,000, depending on the model year and additional accessories.
Common lenders that provided financing for Harley-Davidson Street Bobs included Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn. PCP agreements typically featured a balloon payment at the end of the term, which could be settled by making an extra payment or trading in the bike for another model.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted a thorough investigation into motor finance practices during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. One of the key findings was that discretionary commission arrangements between dealers and lenders had led to widespread mis-selling of PCP agreements. These arrangements incentivised dealers to push customers towards more expensive financing options, often resulting in hidden costs and unnecessary charges.
The investigation found that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these practices (FCA estimate), with a total value of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). The average mis-sold agreement was estimated to cost consumers approximately £829 (FCA estimate).
- Balloon Payments: If your PCP agreement includes a large balloon payment at the end of the term.
- Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCA): Check if your lender had any DCA with the dealership where you bought the bike. These arrangements were often hidden from consumers and contributed to mis-selling practices.
Relevant dates to consider are 6 April 2007 through 1 November 2024, as this was the period covered by the FCA investigation.
If you suspect that your Harley-Davidson Street Bob finance agreement may have been mis-sold, you can complain directly to your lender without needing a claims management company. Common lenders for Harley-Davidson include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn.
To start the complaint process:
- Gather Documentation: Collect all relevant documents related to your finance agreement.
- Contact Your Lender: Reach out to your lender’s customer service department or dedicated complaints team.
- Provide Details: Clearly explain the issues you have with your finance agreement and request a full review.
You do not need a claims management company to handle this process for you. Complaining directly to your lender is free and can provide you with a fair resolution.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). (2024). FCA Motor Finance Investigation.
- ONS Census 2021
- Harley-Davidson Official Website