The Kawasaki Z650 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. These financing methods allowed consumers to enjoy the benefits of owning a high-performance motorcycle like the Z650 without making a large upfront payment, but many were left questioning whether they had been fairly treated due to mis-selling practices.
How the Kawasaki Z650 was Typically Financed
The typical finance arrangement for purchasing a Kawasaki Z650 involved amounts ranging from £5,000 to £15,000 over terms of 36 to 48 months. Common lenders providing finance for this model included
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Moneybarn. In PCP agreements, there was often a significant balloon payment due at the end of the term that could be either settled or used as part of another financing agreement.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance practices between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, uncovering widespread mis-selling issues. One key finding was that many dealerships received financial incentives from lenders through
discretionary commission arrangements, which could have influenced their recommendation of certain financing products over others. This practice affected an estimated 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) with a total value of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026). The average amount mis-sold per agreement was around £829 (FCA estimate).
How to Check Your Agreement First, review the terms and conditions of your finance contract for any reference to "discretionary commission" or similar language. check if your agreement was issued between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
You should also look out for terms such as “DCA,” which stands for Discretionary Commission Agreement. If you find any of these indicators in your finance documents, it is worth exploring further to see if your agreement was mis-sold.
If you suspect that your Kawasaki Z650 financing agreement may have been affected by the FCA’s findings, you can initiate a complaint directly with your lender. Common lenders associated with the Z650 include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn. Each of these companies has its own process for handling complaints, which typically involves submitting detailed information about your concerns.
You do not need to use a claims management company or solicitor to lodge a complaint. The lender will provide you with the necessary forms and guidance on how to proceed without incurring any additional costs. It is important to gather all relevant documentation, including your finance agreement, payment history, and any correspondence related to your financing.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). (2024). Motor Finance Investigation: Final Report.
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). (2023). Guide to Handling Consumer Complaints in the Motor Finance Sector.