How Our Car Finance
Claims Process Works

Understanding the car finance claims process doesn't have to be complicated. If you're one of the millions affected by hidden commission, you might be wondering where to start and what to expect. Sound familiar?

Here's the truth: the car finance claims process is straightforward when you know the steps. We've stripped away the complexity and built a system designed around one simple idea: getting you the compensation you deserve without the hassle. Whether you had PCP finance, HP, or another type of dealer-arranged finance, the process works the same way.

How Our Claims Process Actually Works

Let's walk through exactly what happens when you check your eligibility with us. No legal jargon, no hidden steps—just a clear explanation of how we help you claim what's yours.

The Journey Starts With You (And a 2-Minute Form)

Think back to when you got your car on finance. Maybe it was 2015, maybe 2020. The dealer said "I'll sort the finance for you"—and you trusted them. That's where the problem started, because in most cases, they earned undisclosed commission by inflating your interest rate.

Here's where we come in.

Our eligibility check takes about 2 minutes. We'll ask you simple questions: When did you get your car? Who arranged the finance? What was the lender called? That's it. No documents needed yet, no commitment required.

What happens behind the scenes: Our team reviews your information against the eligibility criteria. We're looking for specific markers: finance arranged by a dealer (not directly from a bank), agreements during the DCA period, signs that hidden commission was likely charged.

Most people who fill out the form discover they ARE eligible. If you're not, we'll tell you straight away and explain why—no hard sell, no pressure.

We Match You With a Specialist Solicitor (Within 48 Hours)

Let's say you're eligible (great news!). Here's what happens next.

We don't handle legal claims ourselves—we're not solicitors. Instead, we work with a network of FCA-regulated specialist solicitors who focus exclusively on car finance claims. Think of us as a matchmaker: we connect you with the legal expert best suited to your case.

Within 24-48 hours, you'll hear from one of our solicitor partners. They'll:

Take your time deciding. You're not locked into anything at this stage. Chat with the solicitor, ask questions, get comfortable. This is YOUR claim, and you should feel confident about who's handling it.

You Sign Your Solicitor's Agreement (With a 14-Day Cooling-Off Period)

Ready to proceed? Your solicitor will send you a Client Care Letter and Fee Agreement. This is standard legal practice—it protects both you and them.

What's in this agreement?

Think of it as a contract that clearly spells out:

The services they'll provide - Your solicitor will handle everything from gathering documents to negotiating with lenders. They become your legal representative in this matter.

Their fee structure - Typically, solicitors charge a success fee of up to 30% plus VAT. This means if they recover £1,000 for you, they keep £300 + £60 VAT (£360 total), and you receive £640. If your claim fails, you pay nothing. See our fee structure page for a complete breakdown.

Your rights and their obligations - What you can expect from them, how they'll communicate with you, what happens if you want to cancel.

The 14-day cooling-off period is crucial. After signing, you have two weeks to change your mind for any reason—no questions asked, no fees charged. This is legally required to protect consumers, so use it if you need to think things over.

Your Solicitor Does the Heavy Lifting (You Just Wait for Updates)

This is where you get to sit back and let the professionals handle things. Here's what your solicitor does while you go about your life:

Gathering evidence - They'll request your finance agreement from the lender, track down commission records, and compile everything needed to build your case. You might need to provide some basic details (like confirming your address or signing authority letters), but they do the legwork.

Contacting the lender - Your solicitor sends a formal claim letter to the finance company. This isn't a casual request—it's a legal letter citing specific regulations and court rulings that support your case.

Presenting your case - They'll lay out exactly why you're entitled to compensation: the hidden commission arrangements, lack of disclosure, the financial impact on you. Everything backed by evidence.

Negotiating on your behalf - Lenders often push back initially or offer lowball settlements. Your solicitor knows this game. They'll negotiate to maximize your compensation based on what you're actually owed.

Keeping you updated - You'll receive regular progress updates. No need to chase them—they'll proactively tell you what's happening at each stage.

What if the lender rejects your claim? Don't panic—this happens. Your solicitor can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service, whose decisions are binding on lenders. Many initially rejected claims succeed at the Ombudsman stage.

You Get Your Compensation (Clear, Transparent, Final)

Your claim succeeded! Here's how you actually receive your money.

Step 1: Lender pays solicitor - The finance company sends the compensation to your solicitor's client account (a protected account separate from their business funds).

Step 2: Solicitor calculates deductions - They'll prepare a clear breakdown showing:

• Total compensation awarded
• Their success fee (percentage agreed)
• VAT on the fee
• Any other agreed costs (like insurance premiums if applicable)
• Net amount payable to you

Step 3: You receive a settlement statement - This document shows exactly where every penny went. It's yours to keep for your records.

Step 4: Money hits your account - Your solicitor transfers your net compensation directly to your bank account. Usually within 5-10 business days of receiving payment from the lender.

That's it. Claim complete. You've been compensated for the hidden commission you overpaid years ago.

What Makes This Different From Claiming Yourself?

You might be wondering: "Can't I just do this myself and keep 100% of the compensation?"

Absolutely you can—and we'll be honest about this: you have the right to make claims yourself for free.

Here's the reality though:

Using a specialist solicitor means:

• They know exactly what evidence to demand
• Lenders take legal representation more seriously
• You're more likely to get the full amount you're owed
• No time investment from you
• Expert handling of rejections or disputes
• You only pay if you win

Think of it like this: you could fix your own car (and save money), or you could hire a mechanic who does it daily. Both options work—it depends on your skills, time, and confidence.

What If My Claim Is Unsuccessful?

Let's address the elephant in the room: what happens if you lose?

With our solicitor partners: You pay nothing. That's what "no win, no fee" means. No hidden charges, no "administration fees," no surprises. If your claim fails, the only thing you've lost is the time it took to fill out the initial form.

Why might a claim fail?

Your solicitor will tell you upfront if your claim is weak. Reputable solicitors won't take cases they don't believe will succeed—it's not worth their time either. So if they agree to represent you, it's because they genuinely believe you have a valid claim.

How Long Does It Really Take?

We've mentioned timelines throughout, but let's be crystal clear about expectations.

The current situation: The FCA is conducting a major investigation into motor finance practices. The FCA redress scheme launches in May 2026, at which point lenders will begin systematic processing of claims. During this investigation period, some lender responses may be delayed.

Why you should submit now: Getting your claim in early means you're at the front of the queue when the scheme launches. Claims submitted now will benefit from the systematic processing framework once it begins.

Once the scheme is operational:

Straightforward cases - Expected to take 3-6 months under the new systematic framework.

Complex cases - May take 6-12 months if there are disputes or appeals.

Ombudsman route - If your lender rejects your claim, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. This adds time but Ombudsman decisions are binding and often result in higher compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the eligibility check take?

About 2 minutes to complete the form. We'll review it and get back to you within 24-48 hours with an answer.

Do I need to contact the lender myself?

No. Once you've signed your solicitor's agreement, they handle ALL communication with the lender. You don't need to speak to or email the finance company at all.

What if I've already paid off the finance?

That's fine! You can still claim. The fact that you've paid off the agreement doesn't affect your eligibility—you're claiming for compensation you overpaid during the term.

What if I don't have my original paperwork?

Not a problem. Your solicitor can request copies of your finance agreement from the lender. Lenders are legally required to keep these records for years.

Can I cancel after I've started?

Yes. You have a 14-day cooling-off period after signing your solicitor's agreement. After that, you can still cancel, but termination fees may apply (clearly explained in your agreement).

Do I pay My Claims Centre anything?

No. Our service is completely free to you. We receive a referral fee from the solicitor if you proceed, but this doesn't come from your compensation and doesn't increase their fees.

How much compensation will I get?

We can't predict exact amounts—it depends on your specific circumstances. Industry data suggests average payouts around £700 per agreement, but your amount could be higher or lower based on the commission charged and your finance amount.

What if I had multiple finance agreements?

Even better—you can potentially claim on each eligible agreement. Your solicitor will assess all of them.

Ready to Check Your Eligibility?

You've made it this far, which tells us you're seriously considering whether you have a claim. Here's what happens next if you decide to proceed:

1. Fill out our 2-minute form - Basic information about your finance agreement
2. We review and match you - Within 24-48 hours, we'll assess eligibility and introduce you to a solicitor
3. Chat with your solicitor - No obligation to proceed; just get your questions answered
4. Sign agreement (if you're ready) - 14-day cooling-off period included
5. Relax while they work - Your solicitor handles everything; you get updates
6. Receive compensation - Clear breakdown of fees; money in your account

The first step costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It's simply finding out if you're one of the millions who could claim compensation.