Auto-Trail motorhomes, known for their high-quality builds and comfort, were commonly sold on
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period covered by the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) investigation from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This investigative review focused on
discretionary commission arrangements in motor finance, which may have affected many consumers who financed their Auto-Trail motorhomes through lenders such as
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
Lombard, and Billing Finance.
How Auto-Trail Motorhomes Were Financed
Auto-Trail motorhomes were often financed using PCP and HP agreements, which provided customers with flexible payment options. These finance products allowed consumers to spread the cost of their new motorhome over a set period, typically ranging from 24 to 60 months. The most common lenders for Auto-Trail motorhomes included Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The Financial Conduct Authority launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements in the motor finance sector during the period mentioned above. This inquiry found that many customers who financed their vehicles through these agreements may have been overcharged due to excessive commissions paid by lenders to dealerships. According to the FCA's estimates, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), with a total of £7.5 billion in potential overcharges across the industry (FCA estimate). The average compensation per customer is estimated at around £829 (FCA estimate).
If you believe that your Auto-Trail finance agreement was affected by the FCA's findings, you do not need a
[claims management company](https://mlj.org.uk/guides/complaints-about-claims-management-companies) to lodge a complaint. Instead, you can complain directly to your lender at no cost. Common lenders for Auto-Trail motorhomes include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance. These institutions have dedicated teams to handle complaints related to the FCA investigation, and they will guide you through the process of claiming any potential compensation.
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.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). "Motor Finance: Final Rule Instrument." 2024.
- Office of 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.