Niesmann+Bischoff 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 lasted from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This investigation uncovered significant issues regarding
discretionary commission arrangements that may have affected many customers who financed their Niesmann+Bischoff motorhomes through various lenders such as
[Black Horse](https://mlj.org.uk/lenders/black-horse),
Close Brothers Motor Finance,
Lombard, and Billing Finance.
How Niesmann+Bischoff Motorhomes Were Financed
Niesmann+Bischoff motorhomes were often purchased using finance agreements from major lenders like Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance. These agreements typically included Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP) options. PCP agreements allowed customers to pay a deposit and monthly payments for the duration of the contract, with an option to purchase the motorhome at the end of the agreement or return it. HP agreements required full payment over the term of the loan, often without the same flexibility as PCP arrangements.
The FCA Motor Finance Investigation
The FCA's investigation revealed that many finance agreements during this period were affected by discretionary commission practices. Lenders paid significant amounts to brokers and dealers based on these commissions, which could have influenced sales decisions in favour of more expensive or less suitable finance products. According to the FCA, 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) across various vehicle types, including Niesmann+Bischoff motorhomes, were potentially impacted by such practices. The total estimated value of these commissions was £7.5 billion (FCA estimate), with an FCA-estimated average per eligible agreement of £829 per affected agreement (FCA estimate).
How to Check Your Agreement If your agreement falls within the period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 and was financed through a lender such as Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, or Billing Finance, there is a possibility that the FCA-estimated scheme average is £829 per eligible agreement.
The key factors to look for include:
- The type of finance agreement (PCP or HP)
- The name of the lending institution
- The dates on your contract documents
If you believe your Niesmann+Bischoff motorhome finance agreement is affected by the FCA investigation, it is important to address this issue directly with your lender. Common lenders such as Black Horse, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Lombard, and Billing Finance all have established procedures in place to handle complaints related to the discretionary commission arrangements.
You do not need a
claims management company; you can complain directly to your lender for free. Simply gather the relevant documentation from your finance agreement and contact your lender’s customer service department to initiate the complaint process. Providing clear evidence of your concerns, including dates and contract details, will help streamline this process.
Sources and References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates on affected agreements: 12.1 million (FCA estimate), total value: £7.5 billion (FCA estimate), average refund: £829 (FCA estimate)
- Close Brothers Motor Finance
- Black Horse
- Lombard
- Billing Finance
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.