Burstner motorhomes were commonly sold on
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and
Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) investigation period, which ran from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. The FCA found that certain
discretionary commission arrangements between car dealerships and lenders led to unfair terms for consumers in 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026), amounting to a total of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate) with an average of £829 per affected borrower (FCA estimate). This investigation highlights the importance for Burstner motorhome owners to understand if their finance agreement was potentially mis-sold and how to proceed with complaints.
How Burstner Motorhomes Were Financed
Burstner, a German manufacturer of luxury motorhomes, has seen its vehicles commonly financed through various lenders such as
Black Horse,
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
Lombard, and Billing Finance. These lenders typically offered PCP and HP finance agreements for new Burstner purchases. In PCP deals, customers pay monthly instalments to cover the depreciation of the vehicle over a set period, followed by an optional balloon payment at the end of the term if they wish to own the motorhome outright. Hire Purchase agreements, on the other hand, require full repayment of the loan amount plus interest, with ownership transferring to the borrower upon completion.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA investigation focused on discretionary commission arrangements between dealers and lenders during the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. These arrangements sometimes led to higher finance charges for consumers without their knowledge or consent. Dealers were incentivised by these commissions to push customers towards more expensive financing options, resulting in unfair terms that often went unnoticed until it was too late.
How to Check Your Agreement If you purchased a new Burstner motorhome on PCP or HP between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, there is a possibility that your agreement was part of the FCA investigation scope. Common signs to look for include unusually high interest rates, unexpected fees, or any terms that seem unclear or unfair.
If you suspect your finance agreement with Burstner may have been mis-sold, it is important to contact your lender directly and lodge a complaint. Common lenders for Burstner motorhomes include Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance. You do not need to hire a
claims management company; instead, you can submit your concerns to the lender free of charge. Most lenders have dedicated teams to handle such complaints efficiently.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). "Motor Finance Discretionary Commission Investigation." FCA, 2024.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Census 2021.
Important: 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.
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.