Ford Van Finance Mis-Selling - FCA Investigation

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Ford Van Finance Mis-Selling - FCA Investigation

Last updated: 26 February 2026

Ford vans were commonly sold on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreements during the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) investigation period from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024. This period saw significant scrutiny of motor finance practices, particularly focusing on discretionary commission arrangements between vehicle manufacturers and their dealers.

How Ford Vans Were Financed

Ford vans were often financed through several major lenders including Black Horse, Lombard, Close Brothers Motor Finance, and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. These lenders provided PCP and HP financing options that allowed buyers to make lower monthly payments by deferring part of the vehicle’s cost until a balloon payment at the end of the contract or returning the van to the lender. During this period, it was common for dealers to offer finance packages as an integral part of the sales process. Buyers would typically have the option to pay in full upfront, but many opted for PCP and HP deals due to their lower initial outlay and flexibility.

The FCA Motor Finance Investigation

The FCA launched a full investigation into motor finance practices following allegations that manufacturers were making secret payments to dealers through discretionary commission arrangements. These payments allegedly influenced dealers to push certain types of financing, such as PCP agreements, over others like outright purchase or leasing options. This practice is now known to have affected 12.1 million eligible agreements (FCA estimate) with a total value of £7.5 billion (FCA estimate). On average, each agreement was found to be overcharged by approximately £829 (FCA estimate). The investigation uncovered that manufacturers often paid dealers extra for selling vehicles on PCP and HP deals, which could incentivise them to recommend these options even when they were not the most financially beneficial choice for the buyer.

How to Check Your Agreement Any agreement that began between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 could potentially be affected by these findings. look for any evidence that the dealer offered significant discounts or incentives when you chose a PCP or HP deal over an outright purchase.

You can also review your original finance documentation to see if there were clauses suggesting that certain types of financing were preferred or incentivised in any way. If you find such indicators, it’s worth exploring further whether these arrangements could have been influenced by manufacturer commissions.

How to Complain Directly to Your Lender for Free

If you believe your Ford van finance agreement might be affected by the FCA findings, you can complain directly to the lender who provided the financing. Common lenders for Ford vans include Black Horse, Lombard, Close Brothers Motor Finance, and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. When contacting your lender, make sure to provide any relevant documentation that supports your case, such as loan agreements or correspondence with dealers. Your lender is required by law to investigate complaints thoroughly without charging you a fee. You do not need a claims management company to handle your complaint; the process can be managed directly through your finance provider’s customer service department.

Sources and References

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 2024
Office for National Statistics 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.

Ford MOT Pass Rate - 2024 Data

Across 4,821,318 MOT tests in 2024, Ford vehicles have an overall pass rate of 78.3%. This is close to the national average of 79.6%. DVSA data covers 300 Ford models with sufficient test volume.

Overall pass rate: 78.3%
Total MOT tests (2024): 4,821,318
Models with data: 300
National average: 79.6%

Best Ford models for MOT pass rate

Ford Kuga Titanium Frst Ed Phev Cvt: 96.1% pass rate (716 tests)
Ford Puma Titanium First Ed Mhev: 95.7% pass rate (1,685 tests)
Ford Kuga Titanium Edition: 95.7% pass rate (701 tests)
Ford Benimar: 95.3% pass rate (680 tests)
Ford Kuga St-Line X Edition Hev Cvt: 95.3% pass rate (638 tests)

Ford models with lowest MOT pass rate

Ford Fusion: 73.3% pass rate (48,706 tests)
Ford Puma: 73.3% pass rate (2,490 tests)
Ford Cougar: 70.4% pass rate (550 tests)
Ford Focus C-Max: 68.4% pass rate (12,926 tests)
Ford Freda: 65.2% pass rate (982 tests)

Ford MOT Reliability Trend (2022-2024)

Ford pass rates have remained stable: 78.4% in 2022, 78.3% in 2023, and 78.3% in 2024.

2022: 78.4% pass rate (5,587,149 tests)
2023: 78.3% pass rate (5,599,788 tests)
2024: 78.3% pass rate (4,821,318 tests)

Based on 16,008,255 MOT tests across three years (DVSA open data).

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Ford involved in motor finance mis-selling?

Yes, many individuals have raised concerns about potentially unfair practices related to motor finance agreements for Ford vehicles from April 6, 2007, through November 1, 2024. These issues can include misleading information and aggressive sales tactics.

How widespread were the mis-selling issues involving Ford vans?

Mis-selling of motor finance agreements for vehicles like Ford vans affected a significant number of consumers in the UK during the period from April 6, 2007, to November 1, 2024. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates that 12.1 million eligible agreements were entered into during this time.

What should I do if I believe I was mis-sold a motor finance agreement for my Ford van?

If you suspect you have been mis-sold a motor finance agreement for your Ford van, the first step is to gather all relevant documentation and review the terms of your agreement. You can then complain directly to your lender for free without needing a claims management company.

How much money could be involved in compensation claims related to mis-sold motor finance agreements for Ford vans?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates that around £7.5 billion (FCA, March 2026) may be due as compensation from lenders to customers who were mis-sold motor finance agreements, including those for Ford vehicles. The average amount of compensation per successful claim is estimated at £700.

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.