The Kawasaki Ninja 400, a popular choice among motorcyclists for its blend of affordability and 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 investigative period uncovered significant issues within the motor finance industry, affecting millions of consumers across various vehicle types, including motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Ninja 400.
How the Kawasaki Ninja 400 was Typically Financed
Motorcyclists looking for a sporty and efficient ride often turned to PCP or HP agreements when purchasing the Kawasaki Ninja 400. These finance plans typically ranged from £5,000 to £15,000 with terms spanning 36 to 48 months. Common lenders for these agreements included
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Moneybarn. PCP agreements often featured a balloon payment at the end of the term, which could be significant if not planned for accordingly.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA launched an investigation into
discretionary commission arrangements used by motor finance lenders during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This investigation revealed that millions of consumers who financed their Kawasaki Ninja 400 and other vehicles were potentially affected by unfair practices. The FCA estimated that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across various vehicle types were impacted, resulting in a total sum of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). On average, each consumer was overcharged by about £829 (FCA estimate).
If you believe that your Kawasaki Ninja 400 finance agreement was mis-sold and falls within the FCA investigation period, you can complain directly to your lender at no cost. Common lenders such as Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn all have processes in place for handling complaints related to these issues. It is important to gather any relevant documentation, including finance agreement details and evidence of overcharges or unfair practices.
You do not need a claims management company to handle your complaint; the lender should be able to address your concerns directly and fairly. By filing a complaint yourself, you can avoid additional fees and retain full control over the process. If your initial complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, you may escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for further review.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (2024)
- Financial Ombudsman Service (various years)
- Kawasaki Motorcycles UK Ltd. (various years)