Can I still make a PCP claim without paperwork?

• Yes, you can still make a PCP car finance claim even if you no longer have the original paperwork.

• Lenders must keep records of historical finance agreements, so providing a bank statement or credit report can usually help them find your agreement.

• You do not need to use a claims management company to make a claim, but Claim-Smart can help if you would like support tracking down paperwork or managing the process.

Yes, you can still make a PCP claim without the original paperwork.

A lot of people looking into whether they might be eligible for car finance compensation immediately assume that they cannot claim because they no longer have the agreement, the emails or the paperwork from the dealership.

In reality, that is extremely common, especially for agreements taken out many years ago.

Cars get sold, email addresses change, paperwork gets lost during house moves and finance agreements are often forgotten about once the monthly payments stop. That does not automatically mean you cannot explore whether you may have been affected by mis-sold car finance.

Missing paperwork is more common than you think

Most people did not keep their PCP paperwork, expecting they might need it years later.

At the time, the focus was usually on getting approved for the car, understanding the monthly payments and driving away. Very few people were thinking about how the commission structures worked and whether their agreements may be eligible for compensation years later.

That is why so many drivers are now finding themselves in the same position where they know they had car finance, but can’t find the agreement. The good news is that missing paperwork does not usually stop you from starting the process.

If you are missing paperwork and want to explore whether you could be owed compensation, Claim-Smart can help.

Get in touch with the team today to find out how you can start a claim without the relevant paperwork.

Can lenders still find old PCP agreements?

Usually, yes. Lenders are generally expected to keep records of agreements and customer payments. The FCA’s redress scheme covers agreements all the way back to 2007, so lenders are aware they may need to review agreements from many years ago.

So, even if you cannot find your own paperwork, the lender may still have theirs.

Does missing paperwork affect PCP compensation?

Not necessarily. A PCP claim is about how the agreement was arranged and whether important information around the commission structure was properly disclosed at the time.

Whilst missing paperwork won’t affect compensation, it might slow the process down because lenders will need to spend more time finding the agreement.

Do I need to prove the commission was hidden?

No, under the FCA redress scheme, it is the lender’s responsibility to look into whether the agreement involved commission arrangements that may qualify for compensation.

The very fact that is was hidden commission is a large part of the reason for the claim for compensation.

Can I make a PCP claim myself?

Yes, you can complain directly to your lender for free. However, some people still prefer support, especially where:

• There were multiple finance agreements

• Paperwork is missing

• The lender is difficult to identify

• There are disputes or delays

• The process feels confusing or time-consuming

If you do want an extra layer of support, Claim-Smart can help guide you through the process, even if you’re missing paperwork.

Start your claim today.

Why acting sooner may still help if you took the finance agreement out years ago

Although the FCA scheme specifies that lenders need to contact eligible customers, older agreements are naturally harder to trace over time.

If you took out your agreement years ago and don’t have the paperwork anymore, contacting the lender directly could help you get compensation faster if you are eligible.

Making a PCP claim without paperwork

Not having your PCP paperwork can feel stressful when you want to claim compensation, but it does not automatically stop you from making a claim.

Many drivers exploring car finance compensation only have partial information when they start and in a lot of cases, lenders can still find agreements using other methods.

If you think you may have been affected by mis-sold PCP car finance, missing paperwork should not stop you from at least checking whether your agreement may qualify.

And if you would like help navigating the process, Claim-Smart can support you.

Speak to the team to find out more.

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