Claim-Smart Limited
If you took out a car finance agreement with Santander Consumer Finance between 2007 and 2024, you might be wondering whether your agreement could qualify for compensation.
The FCA has launched a redress scheme looking at historic car finance agreements.
Santander Consumer Finance was one of the UK's biggest vehicle finance providers during the FCA’s redress period.
At Claim-Smart, we help consumers understand whether their Santander agreement could fall within the FCA's redress scheme and guide them through the claims process from start to finish.
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.
How do you know if your Santander agreement could be affected?
Many people assume they would remember if something seemed off when they arranged their car finance. But the reality is that most customers had no reason to question the process at the time.
A Santander finance agreement was normally arranged in the showroom when buying a vehicle. The dealership would present a finance package, explain the monthly payments and ask the customer to sign the agreement. Nothing strange about that.
But what many consumers did not realise was that the dealership could sometimes receive commission from the lender for arranging the finance. This commission increased the amount that the consumer had to pay each month, without their consent.
In response to this, the FCA is now asking lenders to look into whether customers were given enough information about those commission arrangements before entering into the agreement.
You may want to investigate further if:
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You financed a vehicle through Santander Consumer Finance.
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The agreement was arranged through a dealership.
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The finance started between April 2007 and November 2024.
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You were not clearly told how the commission structure worked.
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You accepted the finance without comparing multiple lenders.
Even if you aren’t sure of the exact details, Claim-Smart can help you understand whether your agreement is worth reviewing.
Why are so many Santander PCP customers now checking if they are eligible for compensation?
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) became one of the most popular forms of vehicle finance in the UK over the past two decades.
The lower monthly payments made PCP especially attractive, allowing drivers to access newer vehicles without paying a huge premium.
However, the FCA's redress scheme has shed a light on how some PCP agreements were sold, and whether commission structures may have influenced the interest rates offered to consumers without their knowledge.
And while PCP agreements are attracting a lot of attention, they are not the only agreements being reviewed.
Hire Purchase agreements arranged through Santander Consumer Finance may also potentially qualify depending on the circumstances.
But for many consumers, especially those that took out agreements nearly 20 years ago, knowing whether their agreement falls within the scheme can feel confusing.
Luckily, that’s where Claim-Smart can help.
What happens if your Santander agreement ended years ago?
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the FCA scheme is that only active agreements can qualify. That is not the case.
The FCA's investigation focuses on how the agreement was sold, rather than whether it is still running today.
As a result, many agreements that were settled years ago may still potentially qualify for compensation.
You could still be eligible even if:
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The finance has been fully repaid.
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You no longer own the vehicle.
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The agreement was settled early.
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You traded the vehicle in.
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You cannot find the original paperwork.
Many people who contact Claim-Smart took out a PCP agreement years ago, and so assume they no longer have enough information to make a claim.
But the good news is, there are still ways to find older agreements and work out whether they fall within the FCA's scheme.
If you financed a vehicle through Santander Consumer Finance at any point during the relevant period, it may be worth checking your eligibility.
And, if you need a helping hand working out if you might be eligible 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 Santander Consumer 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
Santander Consumer Finance was the lender that provided the finance agreement, while the dealership acted as the intermediary that arranged the finance. Many consumers only remember the dealership they bought the vehicle from, so it's normal not to realise Santander was the finance lender until checking old paperwork.
That is very common, especially with older agreements. Details like your lender, agreement dates or old addresses may still help identify the finance agreement.
Potentially, yes. If you entered into a Santander Consumer Finance agreement and later refinanced, traded in the vehicle or upgraded to a newer model, the original agreement may still be eligible for review. Each agreement is looked at individually.
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.
No. You can contact Santander Consumer Finance directly if you want to. However, some people choose to use a claims management company like Claim-Smart to give them an extra layer of support throughout the process.
If you have already made a complaint, you usually do not need to do anything else. Santander Consumer 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.
The deadline for the FCA redress scheme is 31 August 2027, though due to legal challenges, this is subject to change. However the earlier you file, the sooner you are likely to hear back.
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.
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Phone: 020 3307 5218
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