Citroen Relay Motor Finance - Owner Information | MLJ.org.uk

Home › Vehicles › Vans › Citroen › Citroen › Citroen Relay Motor Finance - Owner Information | MLJ.org.uk

Citroen Relay Motor Finance - Owner Information | MLJ.org.uk

Last updated: 27 February 2026

The Citroen Relay, a popular van model known for its reliability and practicality, was commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the period under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), spanning from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This investigation uncovered widespread mis-selling practices in motor finance arrangements, affecting millions of consumers across the UK.

How the Citroen Relay was Typically Financed

The Citroen Relay was often financed through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements with typical financing amounts ranging from £20,000 to £45,000. Common finance providers for the Citroen Relay included Black Horse, Lombard, Close Brothers Motor Finance, and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. PCP terms typically ranged between 36 and 60 months, with many agreements featuring balloon payments at the end of the term. These arrangements allowed buyers to manage their monthly repayments while potentially retaining ownership or opting for a final payment to purchase the vehicle outright.

The FCA Motor Finance Investigation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched an investigation into discretionary commission arrangements in motor finance from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This probe uncovered that many lenders had been offering incentives to dealers based on sales volume rather than the interests of consumers, leading to widespread mis-selling practices. The FCA estimates that 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA, March 2026) by these issues (FCA estimate), resulting in an average loss per consumer of £829 (FCA estimate) and a total estimated cost to consumers of £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026).

How to Check Your Agreement Look for specific clauses or references that indicate discretionary commissions were involved in the financing process. Key indicators include a high interest rate compared to market norms, unusual upfront fees, and any mention of "DCA" (Discretionary Commission Arrangement) in the documentation. If you purchased your Citroen Relay between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, there is a chance that your agreement may have been affected by these practices.

How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free

If you suspect your Citroen Relay finance agreement was mis-sold due to the discretionary commission arrangements investigated by the FCA, it is essential to complain directly to your lender. Common lenders for the Citroen Relay include Black Horse, Lombard, Close Brothers Motor Finance, and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. Each of these companies has a process in place for handling complaints related to motor finance agreements. When contacting your lender, provide clear details about why you believe there was mis-selling and any relevant documentation from your original agreement that supports your case. You do not need a claims management company; the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is available free of charge to assist consumers in resolving disputes with lenders. By following this process, you can seek redress without incurring additional costs or unnecessary complications.

Sources and References

FCA Motor Finance Investigation Report (FCA, 2024)
Financial Conduct Authority Estimates for Affected Agreements (FCA estimate)
Financial Ombudsman Service Complaint Handling Guidelines (FOS)

Citroen Relay MOT Pass Rate

Based on 55,437 MOT tests conducted in 2024 (source: DVSA anonymised test data), the Citroen Relay has a pass rate of 73.3%. This is below the national average of 79.6%, meaning the Relay has a higher-than-average failure rate in MOT testing.

The Relay pass rate is in line with the overall Citroen average of 75.3%. The average mileage at MOT for this model is 106,863 miles.

MOT pass rate: 73.3%
MOT failure rate: 26.7%
Tests analysed: 55,437 (2024 DVSA data)
Average mileage at test: 106,863 miles
Citroen average pass rate: 75.3%
National average pass rate: 79.6%

Data source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results 2024, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

How common is Citroen Relay van motor finance mis-selling?

Motor finance agreements for vehicles like the Citroen Relay have been estimated to be mis-sold in around one in five cases (FCA estimate).

What are some signs that my Citroen Relay van finance agreement might have been mis-sold?

Signs of mis-selling can include being given incorrect or incomplete information about your finance options, being pushed into a higher cost loan than necessary, and having terms that you could not realistically afford to meet.

If I suspect my Citroen Relay van finance agreement was mis-sold, where should I start?

You can complain directly to your lender for free if you believe your Citroen Relay van motor finance agreement has been mis-sold. It is important to gather all relevant documents and details before initiating a complaint.

What kind of compensation might be available if I successfully prove my Citroen Relay van finance was mis-sold?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates that the average compensation paid for mis-sold motor finance agreements is around £829 (FCA estimate). This can vary based on individual circumstances and evidence.

Important: MLJ.org.uk is an independent information resource. We are not a claims management company, solicitor, law firm, or financial adviser. We do not process claims, take fees, or provide advice. Where the law gives you a right to complain or claim directly (to a lender, council, FOS, court, or regulator), you can do so without paying a third party. MLJ.org.uk is operated by Copious Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 11437826.