Where do I find the details to start a PCP car finance claim?
- Claim-Smart Contributor
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
You can usually find your PCP finance details through old bank statements, your credit report, or by contacting the dealership that you bought the car from.
Around 12.1 million car finance agreements are estimated to be eligible for compensation, according to the FCA.
If you'd like to find out whether you have an eligible claim, Claim-Smart can check using just your name, address and contact details.
If you want to start a PCP car finance claim, the main details you normally need are your finance agreement information, lender details, and some proof that the agreement existed, like a bank statement or credit record.
If you'd like to find out whether you have an eligible claim, Claim-Smart can check using just your name, address and contact details.
For many people, the hardest part is not necessarily making the complaint itself. It is remembering who the lender was, finding paperwork from years ago, or understanding where to start.
The good news is that even if you no longer have your original PCP paperwork, there are still a number of ways to track down the information you may need.
At Claim-Smart, we can help you work out if you have an eligible claim using just your basic personal details.
Why people are checking old PCP agreements
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a motor finance redress scheme linked to commission arrangements used in some car finance agreements between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
According to the FCA, some customers may not have been properly told about commission arrangements between lenders and brokers at the time they took out finance. The FCA estimates that around 12.1 million agreements could potentially fall within scope of the scheme, with the average compensation amount sitting around £829 per person.
This does not automatically mean every agreement was mis-sold or that everybody will receive compensation, but it has meant many drivers are now looking back at old agreements and submitting complaints to their lenders.
What details do you usually need to submit a PCP car finance claim?
At Claim-Smart, we can help you work out if you have an eligible claim using just your basic personal details. All you have to do is enter them here.
When it comes to actually making the claim, in most cases, lenders will ask for some combination of:
Your full name and previous addresses
Approximate date you took out the finance
Name of the dealership
Name of the lender, if known
Finance agreement number, if you have it
Other documents such as bank statements or ID
You do not necessarily need every single detail before making a complaint. Even some information can help lenders trace an agreement.
If you need help working out how you can start your claim, or figuring out whether you might be eligible, get in touch with Claim-Smart today.
If you need some other guidance on how to find the right documents to make a claim,
we’ve outlined some options below:
Check your old bank statements
One of the easiest places to start is your bank statements. If you paid monthly for your PCP or HP agreement, the lender’s name may appear next to the direct debit payments. This can help you work out who the finance provider was, even if you no longer have the paperwork.
Many people forget that the dealership and the lender are often different companies. For example, you may have bought a car from a dealership like Audi, but the finance itself may have been provided by a separate lender like Black Horse, MotoNovo Finance or Blue Motor Finance.
If your online banking records do not go back far enough, your bank may still be able to find you older statements upon request.
Use your credit report
Another useful route is checking your credit history. Car finance agreements often appear on your credit report for several years, especially if the agreement was more recent.
You can usually access your credit file for free through companies linked to agencies such as:
Experian
TransUnion
Equifax
The FCA actually references Equifax’s Car Finance Checker as one way some consumers may be able to find their finance records.
Your credit report may show:
The lender name
Agreement dates
Balances at the time
Finance agreements
This can often be enough information to start contacting the lender directly.
Contact the dealership
If you genuinely can’t remember who financed the vehicle, it may still be worth contacting the dealership where you bought the car.
Some dealerships may still hold records or be able to point you towards the lender used at the time.
You should try to provide as much information as possible when contacting them, including:
Vehicle registration
Rough purchase date
Your name and address at the time
The make and model of the vehicle
Alternatively, at Claim-Smart, we can help you work out if you have an eligible claim using just your basic personal details.
What if I no longer have the agreement number?
Not having your agreement number does not necessarily stop you from making a complaint. Many lenders can still find agreements using combinations of:
Your name
Previous addresses
Vehicle registration
Date of birth
Approximate agreement dates
How do you actually make the PCP car finance claim?
Once you have found the lender, you can usually complain directly to the lender through their official complaints process.
However, if you want more guidance throughout the process, you can also do this through a claims management company like Claim-Smart.
When submitting your complaint, we always tell our clients to include:
Their personal details
Vehicle information
Any agreement details they have
A clear explanation that you wish to raise a complaint regarding your car finance agreement
Do you need a claims management company to make a claim?
No. You can complain directly to your lender for free, but many people do use claims management companies for an extra layer of support.
If you are considering professional support, Claim-Smart can help. We help consumers understand the process and guide them through their claim. That way, they don’t need to go through the process on their own.
Additionally, we can help you work out if you have an eligible claim using just your personal details.
What happens after you submit your complaint?
Once you submit your complaint, the lender should eventually provide a response explaining whether you are entitled to compensation.
The timing can vary depending on when the agreement started. To find out more, read our blog around ‘how soon do you hear if your PCP claim was approved’
However, it’s also worth noting that the FCA’s scheme has been legally challenged, so timelines could change again.
Starting your PCP car finance claim
Ultimately, starting a PCP car finance claim is more about finding the right information than having a perfect folder of paperwork.
Old bank statements, credit reports and dealership information can all help lenders find the agreement, even if it was taken out years ago.
While you can complain directly to your lender for free, some people may prefer extra support navigating the process, especially as FCA guidance and compensation timelines continue to evolve.
Whether you decide to handle it yourself or use a company like Claim-Smart for guidance, the most important thing is making sure you understand your options and start gathering your details sooner rather than later.
If you are looking for a claims management company to support your application or find out if you are eligible, get in touch with Claim-Smart today.
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