The Norton Commando 961 was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This era saw a significant number of motor finance agreements affected by [discretionary commission](https://mlj.org.uk/glossary/discretionary-commission-arrangement) arrangements, leading to potential mis-selling issues that have been under scrutiny by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
How the Norton Commando 961 was Typically Financed
Motorcyclists purchasing the Norton Commando 961 often opted for financing options such as PCP or HP. These agreements typically ranged from £5,000 to £15,000 and had 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 a PCP agreement, borrowers make regular payments over the term of the loan with a final balloon payment (also known as a Guaranteed Minimum Future Value or GMFV) at the end. This balloon payment is intended to cover the remaining value of the bike if the borrower chooses not to buy it outright at the end of the contract.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements used by finance companies during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. These practices involved lenders paying commissions to motorcycle dealers based on sales volumes rather than individual agreements, potentially leading to mis-selling of finance products.
According to the FCA's estimates, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these arrangements during this period (FCA estimate). The total value of these agreements was £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) (FCA, March 2026).
How to Check Your Agreement Look for terms such as "discretionary commission," "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement), or any references to commissions being paid based on sales volumes rather than individual agreements.
ensure that the dates of your finance agreement fall within the relevant period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. If you find these indicators in your documentation and your contract was established during this timeframe, it may be affected by the FCA's findings on mis-selling practices.
If you believe that your Norton Commando 961 finance agreement was improperly sold due to discretionary commission arrangements, you can complain directly to your lender without incurring additional costs. Common lenders for this model include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, MotoNovo Finance, and Moneybarn.
When lodging a complaint with your lender, provide them with all relevant documentation including your finance agreement, payment receipts, and any correspondence related to the loan. Clearly explain why you believe there was mis-selling involved in your case.
It is important to remember that you do not need a claims management company for this process. Lenders are required by law to address complaints from their customers fairly and promptly. If you feel your complaint has not been adequately resolved, you can escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at no cost.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). "Motor Finance Market Study: Summary of Key Findings" (2024)
- Norton Motorcycles. Product information for Norton Commando 961
- Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Complaint handling procedures