The FCA car finance redress scheme

It covers car finance from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 where the lender paid the dealer commission you weren’t told about. Payouts are paused while the rules are challenged.

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Updated 2 November 2026

Where the scheme is now

Updated 2 November 2026. We update this as the case moves.

Full timeline and sources
March 2026 Scheme confirmed. For agreements from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024
July 2026 Payouts paused. While three lenders and a consumer group challenge the rules You are here
16 Feb – 3 Mar 2027 Full hearing. Lenders still have to send decision letters before then
2027 Payments expected. The FCA expects payments to start if the scheme is upheld
31 August 2027 Last day to complain. If your lender hasn’t contacted you
You are here
  1. March 2026Scheme confirmed. For agreements from 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024
  2. July 2026Payouts paused. While three lenders and a consumer group challenge the rules
  3. 16 Feb – 3 Mar 2027Full hearing. Lenders still have to send decision letters before then
  4. 2027Payments expected. The FCA expects payments to start if the scheme is upheld
  5. 31 August 2027Last day to complain. If your lender hasn’t contacted you

What the scheme is

The Financial Conduct Authority confirmed its motor finance consumer redress scheme on 30 March 2026, in policy statement PS26/3. Lenders must review agreements where they paid the dealer or broker commission, and pay compensation where the arrangement was unfair and not properly disclosed.

It covers PCP and hire purchase taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, in two parts: agreements up to 31 March 2014, and agreements from 1 April 2014.

What makes commission unfair

  • Discretionary commission

    The dealer could set your interest rate and earned more commission the higher it went. Banned from 28 January 2021.

  • High commission

    At least 39% of the interest and charges, and at least 10% of the amount borrowed.

  • A tie to the lender

    The lender had exclusivity or first refusal on the dealer’s customers, and you weren’t told.

How compensation is worked out

For most people it’s based on the commission paid and the FCA’s estimate of how much more it cost you, plus interest at the Bank of England base rate plus 1%, with a minimum of 3% a year. In the most serious cases the lender refunds all the commission, plus interest.

The legal challenge

CA Auto Finance, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Volkswagen Financial Services and the consumer group Consumer Voice have challenged the rules. On 2 July 2026 the Upper Tribunal suspended parts of the scheme, so no compensation is payable until the challenges are decided. The full hearing is from 16 February to 3 March 2027.

Deadlines

Lenders must tell people who complained whether they’re owed by 18 November 2026 (agreements from April 2014, complained about by 30 June 2026) or 18 January 2027 (older agreements, complained about by 31 August 2026). If your lender hasn’t contacted you, you can complain until 31 August 2027. If a lender writes to you about the scheme, you have six months to reply.

Sources

You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint. You can do this directly. If your complaint is not successful you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service yourself for free.

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