The Auto-Trail Tribute was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) investigation period, which began on 6 April 2007 and concluded on 1 November 2024. These agreements were often made through several major lenders including Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance. The FCA investigation found that many of these finance agreements involved discretionary commission arrangements, leading to potential mis-selling issues.
How the Auto-Trail Tribute was Typically Financed
The Auto-Trail Tribute motorhome is typically financed through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP) agreements with loan amounts ranging from £40,000 to £80,000. The terms of these agreements can vary widely but commonly range between 48 and 120 months. Balloon payments at the end of the agreement are a common feature in PCP contracts for motorhomes such as the Auto-Trail Tribute. These balloon payments represent a lump sum payment due at the end of the contract, which may or may not be covered by an optional final payment insurance (FPI) policy.
Common finance lenders for the Auto-Trail Tribute include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance. When considering these agreements, it is crucial to understand that the terms can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances and the lender's practices during the FCA investigation period.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into motor finance arrangements that included discretionary commission payments made by lenders to motor dealers. This investigation found that these commissions, which were often paid in addition to standard dealer fees, could incentivise dealers to push certain products or terms on customers. As a result of this investigation, it was determined that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across the UK were potentially affected by such practices. The total amount involved is estimated at £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026), with an average mis-selling impact per agreement estimated to be around £829 (FCA estimate).
These findings highlight the need for motorhome owners, particularly those who financed their Auto-Trail Tribute through PCP or HP agreements between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, to carefully review their finance arrangements.
How to Check Your Agreement Key indicators include:
- Dates of Agreement: The dates must fall between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
- Discretionary Commission (DCA) Indicator: Look for any mention of discretionary commission or similar terms in the agreement documentation.
If you find these indicators, your finance agreement may have been impacted by mis-selling practices under investigation by the FCA.
Complaining directly to your lender is a straightforward process and does not require the involvement of a [claims management company](https://mlj.org.uk/guides/complaints-about-claims-management-companies). Here’s how:
- Identify Your Lender: Common lenders for Auto-Trail Tribute motorhomes include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance.
- Review Your Agreement: Carefully review your finance agreement to identify any discrepancies or issues related to discretionary commission payments.
- Contact the Lender: Reach out to your lender directly by phone or email. Provide them with a detailed account of why you believe your agreement was mis-sold, referencing the FCA investigation period if applicable.
- Follow Up: If you do not receive a satisfactory response within 8 weeks, escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for free and impartial assistance.
You can complain directly to your lender for free without needing to involve a claims management company. This approach is often faster and more efficient than working through third-party firms.
Sources and References
- FCA estimate figures: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) total, £829 average per eligible agreement
- Ongoing compliance note: Towed caravans are NOT covered by the FCA motor finance scheme. Only self-propelled motorhomes with their own engine and drivetrain are in scope for the FCA investigation.
(Towed caravans are not within the scope of this investigation as only self-propelled motorhomes with their own engine and drivetrain are included under the FCA's motor finance investigation.)