The Knaus Sun TI motorhome was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation period, which spans from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. The FCA found that 12.1 million eligible agreements motor finance agreements were affected by discretionary commission arrangements (FCA estimate), leading to an average consumer cost of £829 per agreement, amounting to a total of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) across all affected consumers (FCA estimate). This investigation has significant implications for those who financed their Knaus Sun TI through these arrangements.
How the Knaus Sun TI was Typically Financed
The Knaus Sun TI motorhome is typically financed via PCP and HP agreements that range from £40,000 to £80,000. These finance plans often have terms lasting between 48 and 120 months, with the option of a balloon payment at the end of the agreement for those opting for PCP financing. Common lenders providing finance for Knaus Sun TI motorhomes include
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
Lombard, and Billing Finance.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA investigation uncovered widespread issues related to discretionary commission arrangements between car dealerships and motor finance providers. These arrangements allowed dealerships to receive additional payments based on the type of finance agreement a customer chose. This practice often led to customers being pushed towards more expensive financing options, such as PCP agreements with higher interest rates or longer terms.
The investigation found that these arrangements were not in the best interests of consumers and resulted in significant overcharging across various models, including the Knaus Sun TI motorhome. The total cost to affected consumers is 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 specific terms such as "discretionary commission," "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement), or any mention of additional payments being made to a dealership. ensure that your agreement falls within the relevant dates: 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024.
If you find these terms in your finance documents and your Knaus Sun TI was purchased during this period, it is highly likely that your agreement was affected by the FCA investigation. You can complain directly to your lender without needing a claims management company for assistance.
How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free
If you suspect that your Knaus Sun TI finance agreement was affected by the FCA investigation, you can contact your lender directly and request a review of your financing terms. Common lenders providing finance for Knaus Sun TI motorhomes include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance.
When complaining to your lender, provide them with detailed information about your agreement, including dates and any documentation that supports your claim. You do not need to engage a claims management company; you can handle the complaint process yourself at no cost. Lenders are required by law to review these complaints thoroughly and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates on affected agreements, total costs, and average consumer losses.
- FOS guidance on motor finance disputes.
- ONS Census 2021 for demographic data.