The Burstner Travel Van was 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 motorhome, known for its luxury and spacious design, often came with substantial financing terms that could leave customers vulnerable if the sales process was not transparent or fair.
How the Burstner Travel Van was Typically Financed
The Burstner Travel Van was frequently financed through PCP agreements, which typically spanned 48 to 120 months. The typical finance amount ranged from £40,000 to £80,000, with some customers opting for higher amounts based on their needs and budget constraints. Common lenders providing finance for the Burstner Travel Van included Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance.
PCP agreements often included balloon payments at the end of the term, which represented a significant portion of the vehicle's value if not settled in full by the customer. This structure could be advantageous for those planning to keep the motorhome long-term or trade it in for another model but was risky for customers who expected to return the vehicle.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements used in the sale of PCP and HP agreements. This probe uncovered widespread mis-selling practices that affected millions of consumers across the UK. According to the FCA, 12.1 million eligible agreements were involved (FCA estimate), with a total compensation amounting to £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) and an FCA-estimated scheme average per eligible agreement: £829 (FCA estimate).
The investigation revealed that lenders had been offering sales incentives to dealers based on the number of PCP agreements sold, rather than the quality or suitability of those agreements for customers. This created a conflict of interest where dealers may have prioritised their own financial gain over the best interests of consumers.
How to Check Your Agreement Look for terms such as "discretionary commission arrangement" or "DCA," which indicate that the dealer may have received additional payments based on the type and volume of agreements sold.
The relevant period for the investigation is from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024, so your agreement must fall within this timeframe. If you notice any discrepancies or suspect that your finance terms were not in line with fair dealing practices, it's important to seek clarification from your lender.
If you believe your Burstner Travel Van was sold under unfair financing conditions, you can complain directly to your lender without the need for a claims management company. Common lenders such as Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance all offer free complaint resolution processes.
When making a complaint, provide clear details about why you believe there were issues with your finance agreement, including any specific terms or conditions that seem misleading or unfair. You can find contact information for these lenders on their respective websites or through customer service hotlines.
Remember, you do not need to use the services of a claims management company to address your concerns with the lender. Complaining directly is often quicker and more straightforward.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates: 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) total compensation, £829 average per eligible agreement payout
- 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 covered by the FCA motor finance scheme. Only self-propelled motorhomes with their own engine and drivetrain are in scope for the FCA investigation.