The Kawasaki ZX-10R, a high-performance superbike known for its aggressive styling and powerful engine, was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period covered by the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) motor finance investigation from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This investigation uncovered widespread mis-selling practices that affected millions of consumers across the UK.
How the Kawasaki ZX-10R was Typically Financed
The Kawasaki ZX-10R, with its impressive performance and sleek design, often came with finance options tailored to fit various budgets. The typical finance agreement for a ZX-10R ranged from £5,000 to £15,000 (FCA estimate), reflecting the bike’s high-end positioning in the market. Common terms for these agreements were between 36 and 48 months, allowing buyers to spread their payments over an extended period.
Several finance providers commonly offered deals on Kawasaki ZX-10Rs during this period, including Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn. These lenders often structured the agreements with balloon payments at the end of the term, which could pose challenges for buyers who wished to keep the bike beyond the initial finance term.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA investigation into motor finance highlighted significant issues related to discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) between retailers and lenders. These DCAs allowed dealers to receive additional commissions based on factors such as customer retention rates and loan amounts, potentially incentivising them to recommend higher-cost finance products over cheaper alternatives.
According to the FCA’s findings, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these practices across the UK (FCA estimate). The total amount of mis-sold finance was estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026), with an FCA-estimated average of £829 per eligible agreement.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for any references to “discretionary commission arrangements” (DCAs) or similar language that indicates additional incentives paid by lenders to retailers.
check if the date of your agreement falls within the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, as agreements outside this range are not covered by the investigation. If you find any discrepancies or suspect mis-selling based on these criteria, it’s important to take action promptly.
If you believe your Kawasaki ZX-10R finance agreement was mis-sold due to DCAs, you can complain directly to the lender at no cost. Common lenders for Kawasaki include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn.
When lodging a complaint, gather all relevant documentation such as loan agreements, correspondence with your dealer, and any evidence of mis-selling practices. Providing clear evidence will strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of receiving fair compensation.
you do not need a claims management company to handle your complaint. You can complain directly to your lender for free and manage the process yourself or seek advice from independent sources like MLJ.org.uk (MLJ).
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). “Motor Finance Investigation.” 2024.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021.