If you can’t find your car finance agreements, you can still pursue compensation under the FCA motor finance redress scheme by requesting records from your lender, checking your credit file with Equifax, Experian or TransUnion, and reviewing old bank statements for direct debits. You don’t need the physical paperwork to make a claim lenders are legally required to search their records back to April 2007.
Why This Matters In 2026
The Financial Conduct Authority has introduced an industry-wide redress scheme to compensate motor finance customers who were treated unfairly between 2007 and 2024 Financial Conduct Authority. The stakes are significant. According to the FCA, the scheme will put £7.5 billion back in people’s pockets with millions of claims settled in 2026 and the vast majority by the end of 2027 Financial Conduct Authority.
However, millions of drivers have lost, shredded, or simply never kept their original finance paperwork. As a result, many assume they’ve missed out. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Furthermore, the responsibility to find your records ultimately sits with the lender — not you.
Importantly, motor finance agreements taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 where commission was payable by the lender to the broker will be considered for compensation FCA. That’s a 17-year window. Consequently, many affected drivers won’t remember exact dealership names, finance companies, or agreement numbers.
Am I Eligible To Claim?
You may be eligible if:
- You bought a car, van, motorbike or campervan on finance between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024
- You used PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) or Hire Purchase (HP) finance
- Your broker (usually the dealer) received commission from the lender
- You were not clearly told about the commission arrangement
- You’ve since paid off the loan, no longer own the vehicle, or had it repossessed — you may still qualify
In addition, if you had multiple motor finance deals during this time, you may be eligible for multiple claims.
However, some exclusions apply. If you had a 0% interest deal, the FCA has confirmed these agreements are not eligible for the scheme. Similarly, caravans are excluded from the scheme.
Step-By-Step: How To Find Your Old Car Finance Agreements
Follow these steps one at a time. You don’t need to do everything at once — each source can independently confirm your agreements existed. If you’d rather not deal with the hassle, National Claims can handle the entire process for you from start to finish.
1. Check Your Credit File (Free and Fast)
Your credit file is the best place to start. The three main UK credit reference agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — hold records of most regulated credit agreements dating back years.
You can check these for free, or National Claims can review your credit data and identify any car finance agreements that may have been mis-sold.
2. Contact Your Previous Lenders Directly
If you remember the lender’s name, you can request your agreement details yourself.
However, National Claims can do this for you by submitting a Subject Access Request (SAR) under UK GDPR and ensuring lenders respond within the required timeframe.
3. Review Old Bank Statements
Check for direct debits to finance providers such as Black Horse, Santander Consumer Finance, Volkswagen Financial Services, BMW Financial Services, MotoNovo Finance, and Close Brothers Motor Finance.
If you’re unsure what to look for, National Claims can analyse your records and pinpoint relevant agreements quickly.
4. Contact the Dealership
Dealerships often keep records of past vehicle purchases, including finance details.
Rather than chasing them yourself, National Claims can contact dealerships on your behalf and gather the required information.
5. Use DVLA Records
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency can confirm vehicles you’ve previously owned.
This helps if you’ve forgotten key details — and National Claims can request and cross-check this information for you.
Let National Claims Do the Hard Work
Tracking down old finance agreements can be time-consuming and frustrating. Instead of going back and forth with lenders and digging through paperwork, National Claims connects you with experienced solicitors who can handle everything for you.
From finding your agreements to checking if you were mis-sold and helping you start a claim — we’ve got it covered.
What Compensation Could You Receive?
Compensation levels vary depending on commission type, loan size, and the scheme tier your agreement falls under. The FCA estimates consumers will receive an average of approximately £830 per agreement.
| Agreement Type | Estimated Redress Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Low-commission agreements | £0 (excluded) | Commission under £120 (pre-2014) or £150 (post-2014) |
| Standard Hybrid Remedy cases | £400–£1,200 | Average of estimated loss and commission paid, plus interest |
| High-commission DCA cases | £1,500–£5,000+ | Full commission refund plus interest, no cap |
| Multiple agreements | Cumulative | Separate claim per eligible vehicle |
These figures are estimates based on FCA published data and are indicative only. Your actual award depends on the specific facts of your case.
Critical Deadlines You Cannot Miss
Timing is everything. Miss the window and you may lose your right to claim entirely.
- 30 June 2026 — deadline for post-April 2014 agreements (Scheme 2) complaint submission
- 31 August 2026 — deadline for pre-April 2014 agreements (Scheme 1) complaint submission
- Consumers who are not contacted can still complain to their firm by 31 August 2027
Therefore, don’t wait for your lender to contact you. Lenders are only required to reach out to those potentially owed money, and they may miss cases where their records are incomplete.
How The Claims Process Works With National Claims
- Get in touch with National Claims — tell us what you remember about your finance agreements, even partial details
- We connect you with experienced solicitors who specialise in motor finance redress
- Your solicitor files Subject Access Requests on your behalf to all likely lenders
- They review agreement terms, commission disclosures, and eligibility against FCA criteria
- A formal complaint is submitted to each lender within the scheme deadlines
- The lender issues a decision within the required timeframe
- You receive compensation typically paid within one month of accepting the offer
Why Choose National Claims?
- Expert-led case handling — our network of solicitors has processed thousands of financial mis-selling cases
- No upfront costs — you pay nothing to start your claim
- Multiple agreement support — we help identify and pursue every eligible finance deal you had
- Straight-talking guidance — no jargon, no runaround, just honest advice on what you’re owed
People Also Ask
Q: Can I claim car finance compensation if I’ve lost my paperwork?
A: Yes. Lenders must search their own records back to 2007, and credit reference agencies hold data on most regulated agreements. You do not need physical paperwork to claim.
Q: How much is the average car finance compensation payout?
A: The FCA estimates the average payout is around £830 per eligible agreement, though high-commission cases can exceed £5,000. Your total depends on loan size, commission level, and scheme tier.
Q: Do I need a solicitor to claim car finance compensation?
A: No, you can complain directly to your lender for free. However, a solicitor ensures deadlines are met, paperwork is complete, and eligibility is argued correctly — particularly for multiple agreements or complex commission structures.
Q: What if I’ve had several car finance deals?
A: Each eligible agreement is treated separately and can qualify for its own redress payment. Therefore, drivers with multiple finance deals between 2007 and 2024 often receive cumulative compensation.
Q: How long does a car finance compensation claim take in 2026?
A: Most decisions are expected within 3–6 months of submission, with payment issued within one month of acceptance. The vast majority of claims will be settled by the end of 2027.
Start Your Claim Today
Don’t wait while your claim window closes. Speak with National Claims today. We’ll connect you with experienced solicitors who understand your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Check how many vehicle finance agreements may have been mis-sold with National Claims
About National Claims
This article was written by the National Claims content team. Our specialists have years of experience helping people across the UK with personal injury, road traffic accident, and housing disrepair claims. We work alongside regulated solicitors to ensure our information is accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful for anyone seeking to understand their rights after an accident.
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