Car finance firms told to prepare to ‘foot the bill’ as motorists owed thousands

Car finance firms should prepare to “foot the bill” with thousands of pounds likely to be paid back to petrol, diesel and electric vehicle owners within months, according to experts. Consumer Voice, a leading customer rights group, stressed that firms who “kept drivers in the dark about secret commissions” should pay up. 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is looking into “widespread misconduct” in the motor finance sector over concerns customers may have been misled. There are fears companies may have charged motorists discretionary commission fees without customers’ prior knowledge. Experts have predicted motorists affected could receive around £1,100 once the FCA probe is completed, with possibly billions owed. 

Consumer Voice said: “Only time will tell if the provisions are sufficient but any car finance lender that kept people in the dark about secret commissions should expect to foot the bill. 

“It is the responsibility of the dealer and lender to ensure that car buyers both know of and agree to a commission payment.”

Individuals purchasing a vehicle on finance between 2007 and 2021 could be impacted. 

Motorists have been urged to get in touch with their car finance provider and ask whether any discretionary commission fees were added to a total bill. 

However, compensation payouts could still be months away with the FCA pushing back deadlines to allow firms to prepare. 

Companies now have until December 2025 to respond to complaints even if the FCA is expected to review the investigation this spring.

Consumer Voice added: “The biggest car finance lenders have rightly been making announcements in recent weeks with the provisions they have made to pay off the inevitable compensation bill. With these provisions lenders have sought to reassure their shareholders.

However, Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis previously explained that the delay to the FCA’s ruling means road users are more likely to receive payouts after all.

Martin said: “People should be checking if they have a DCA. What this ruling from the Court of Appeal and the FCA means for me is it is more likely if you had a DCA you will be paid out. But it is also more likely it will take longer for you to be paid out as everything will be delayed.”