Indian motorbikes, known for their distinctive design and powerful performance, were 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 period saw a significant number of customers in the UK purchasing Indian motorbikes through various finance arrangements that have since come under scrutiny.
## How Indian Motorbikes Were Financed
When buying an Indian motorbike, many consumers opted for PCP or HP agreements facilitated by lenders such as
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
MotoNovo Finance, and
Moneybarn. These financing options allowed customers to spread the cost of their purchase over a longer period with interest, making it more affordable to own a high-performance motorcycle. Typically, PCP agreements would have a deposit of around 10-20% of the bike's value, followed by monthly payments for two or three years, and an optional final balloon payment or the option to buy out the remaining balance.
## The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA launched an investigation into motor finance practices following evidence that many lenders had been offering
discretionary commission arrangements to dealers. These arrangements involved sales incentives based on the type of financing chosen by customers, which could have influenced how dealers presented financial options to buyers. As a result, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), with customers potentially overpaying by an average of £829 each (FCA estimate) and a total sum of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate).
## How to Check Your Agreement Look specifically at any mentions of PCP or HP agreements and whether they were provided by lenders like Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, or Moneybarn. If you find these details in your documentation, it is likely that your agreement was part of the investigation's scope.
## How to
Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
If you suspect that your Indian motorbike finance agreement was mis-sold during the FCA investigation period, you can complain directly to your lender without needing a
claims management company. Common lenders such as Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn all have dedicated teams to handle customer complaints. You do not need a claims management company; instead, contact the lender's customer service department or visit their website for complaint forms and guidance on how to proceed.
## Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). "Motor Finance: Commission Arrangements Investigation." 2024.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census. 2021.
FCA Compensation: FCA Scheme Figures
The FCA confirmed on 30 March 2026 that 12.1 million motor finance agreements are covered by the FCA redress scheme. The FCA-estimated scheme average of £829 per eligible agreement per agreement, with a total of £7.5 billion set aside for consumers. The scheme covers PCP and HP agreements entered into between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Two separate schemes apply: post-2014 agreements (implement by 30 June 2026) and pre-2014 agreements (implement by 31 August 2026). The final deadline to complain is 31 August 2027. You can complain to your lender directly for free. You do not need a claims management company.