Claim-Smart Limited
At Claim-Smart, we help consumers understand whether they might qualify for compensation under the FCA’s redress scheme, which looks into hidden commission arrangements across the car finance industry.
How To Reclaim PCP Finance
STEP 1
Use our online check tool to see if you’re eligible to make a claim against your lender.
STEP 2
If it looks like you may have a valid PCP claim, we will submit one on your behalf.
STEP 3
Wait for the outcome with payments due to start in 2026
STEP 4
If your claim or complaint is accepted, you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
Why are CA Auto Finance agreements now being investigated?
For years, car finance was one of the most popular ways for people in the UK to buy vehicles.
Instead of paying for the vehicle in one go, customers could spread the cost into monthly payments through finance arranged directly with the dealership.
CA Auto Finance UK was one of many lenders involved in these types of finance agreements, especially PCP and Hire Purchase arrangements.
The FCA has now announced a redress scheme designed to investigate situations in which consumers were not properly told how commission worked when they signed their finance agreement.
One of the main issues involves “discretionary commission arrangements”, often called DCAs. This meant some dealerships could increase the interest rate on a finance agreement and receive more commission in return.
If your CA Auto Finance agreement started between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, you may now be able to explore whether you are eligible for compensation.
That’s where Claim-Smart can help.
What types of CA Auto Finance agreements are being looked at?
Finance agreements used to buy vehicles through dealerships
A big number of the agreements being reviewed were taken out directly at car dealerships when people were buying the vehicle.
Instead of arranging finance separately through a bank or lender, many customers agreed to finance packages offered by the dealership on the same day they chose the car.
The FCA is asking lenders to review whether customers were given enough information during this process, particularly around commission and interest rates.
PCP agreements
Personal Contract Purchase, usually shortened to PCP, is one of the most common agreement types linked to the compensation scheme.
These agreements were often designed to keep monthly payments lower, sometimes with a bigger optional payment due at the end of the contract.
Some customers are now questioning whether they fully understood how the finance was priced and whether commission arrangements affected the overall cost.
Hire Purchase agreements
Hire Purchase agreements linked to CA Auto Finance UK are also being included within the review.
Even where customers were comfortable with the monthly repayments, they may still not have been told how dealerships earned money from arranging the agreement.
Under the FCA scheme, these agreements may still be eligible for compensation.
Agreements involving commission
One of the main issues being looked into is whether dealerships were able to charge consumers more without properly explaining it to them.
The FCA compensation scheme is asking lenders to look at whether customers were given enough information to make a fully informed decision before signing.
If you think your CA Auto Finance agreement may have been affected, Claim-Smart can help you explore whether compensation could now be available.
Could you still qualify even if your agreement with CA Auto Finance ended years ago?
Yes, you can absolutely still qualify. The redress scheme is designed to look at whether the agreement was mis-sold, not whether it is still active. In fact, if the agreement was taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, it is eligible for review.
Even if the finance agreement has ended, the vehicle has been sold, you paid the agreement off early or you no longer have the paperwork, you may still be able to check whether your agreement qualifies for compensation.
At Claim-Smart, we help customers understand what information may still be useful and guide them through the process of exploring a claim.
If you want help checking whether your CA Auto Finance agreement may now qualify for compensation, Claim-Smart can help.
Principal reason for making a claim from a lender
One of the main reasons you may be entitled to redress is that the lender did not fully disclose to you the details of the commission they were paying the person who sold you the car, or the dealer/broker who introduced you to the lender.
You were not informed that you could have saved a lot of money by taking out the loan if you simply went directly to the lender
Other reasons you may have a claim against a lender:
You felt pressured at the time into buying a product or committing to a service
The bank, broker or lender failed to advise you of the financial risks
You were promised something that was not delivered
The bank, broker or lender did not fully disclose details of all applicable charges
What can you do if you were a buyer and potentially affected:
Claim-Smart will act on your behalf to determine if you are owed any compensation.
If we represent your claim for you and you receive compensation, we will charge you
a fee in accordance with our Terms & Conditions. This will never exceed 36%
(inclusive of VAT). If you cancel your agreement with us after the 14 day cooling off
period, we will charge you our reasonable costs for any work carried out on your
behalf. Please see our T&Cs for more information.
However, it is important to note that you do not need to use us or anyone else, to make your
claim or complaint to your lender. You can do this yourself for free. If your claim or complaint is
not successful on the first instance you can refer it to the Finance Ombudsman Service
yourself, again for free.
*We work on a 'No Win, No Fee' basis which means you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds. A fee of 18–36% (including VAT) applies only on successful claims, and a cancellation fee may apply after the 14 day cooling off period.
However, if you choose to make a claim you should be aware that the FCA is currently consulting on a redress scheme, so lenders do not have to make any payment until after the FCA has completed this process. This is currently scheduled to be completed in early 2026 and the complaint handling pause ends 31 May 2026 so we believe payments, if any, from lenders will not start until several weeks after that date.
The FCA periodically issue important statements on vehicle finance mis-selling and discretionary commission arrangements.
For the most current information on regulations and timelines please refer to this link.
How can Claim Smart help you with your claim against CA Auto Finance
Why Use Us?
No-Win
No-Fee*
We only get paid if your claim is successful. That means there is no cost to you to start checking your eligibility.
Fee %
£1 – £1,499( 30%)
£1,500 – £9,999 (28%)
£10,000 – £24,999 (25%)
£25,000 – £49,999 (20%)
£50,000 or above (15%)
Experience With FCA Motor Finance Complaints
Our team understands how dealership-arranged finance agreements worked and the issues now being investigated under the FCA scheme.
Help Finding Old Agreements
Many consumers no longer have copies of agreements they signed years ago. We help explain what details may still help identify your finance agreement.
Simple Guidance
Car finance complaints can feel confusing, especially with regular FCA updates and deadlines changing. We explain everything clearly and avoid unnecessary jargon.
Support Throughout
As the FCA scheme is still evolving, we help consumers stay up to date with the latest updates and how they may impact their claims.
At Smart-Claim Limited we combine innovation with experience to deliver results that matter. Please click on the “Make Your Claim” link below and let us guide you towards a successful resolution for your mis-sold PCP finance agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The FCA oversees the rules of the redress scheme, but lenders like CA Auto Finance UK are responsible for reviewing complaints and paying compensation where it is owed.
That is very common, especially with older agreements. Details like your lender, agreement dates or old addresses may still help identify the finance agreement.
Yes. The FCA review is not limited to new vehicles. Finance agreements linked to used cars may also potentially qualify for compensation.
No. You can contact CA Auto Finance directly if you want to. Some people choose to use a claims management specialist to provide an extra layer of support throughout the process.
Once a complaint is submitted, the lender reviews the agreement under the FCA’s rules to decide whether compensation should be paid. Response deadlines depend on when the agreement originally started.
If you have already made a complaint, you usually do not need to do anything else. CA Auto Finance should continue reviewing your complaint under the FCA’s rules.
Compensation amounts vary, but current estimates suggest average payouts could sit around £829 per agreement, although some consumers may receive more or less depending on their individual circumstances.
You may be able to check each agreement separately. Some consumers used car finance multiple times over the years, and more than one agreement could potentially qualify for review.
You to make your claim or complaint for free without using a Claims Management Company. If your claim or complaint is not successful on the first instance you can refer it to the Finance Ombudsman Service yourself, again for free.
Claim-Smart Limited, Company Registered in England Number: 12824729
Registered Office: Claim-Smart Limited 91, Wimpole Street, London, W1G 0EF
We are a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that registration is recorded on the Financial Services Register under FRN: 935960
Registered with the Information Commissioners Office under reference number: ZB696380
Our VAT number and insurance details are available upon request.
We aim to be inclusive and offer an accessible service Please contact us if you require this information in another format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email info@claim-smart.co.uk Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Phone: 020 3307 5218
Opening Hours: Mon-Friday 9AM-6PM (applications can be made anytime)