1. Check Your Eligibility
2. Calculate Your Claim
Check your original finance agreement. Look for the "Cash Price", "Total Amount of Credit", "APR", and "Balloon" (also called GMFV or Final Payment).
Breakdown
| Your APR | % |
| Assumed Fair APR | % |
| Interest Overpaid | £0 |
| Illustrative 8% Uplift | £0 |
Next Steps
Assumptions
- Calculation assumes standard UK PCP/HP amortisation formulas.
- Redress is the difference between interest paid at your APR vs a lower "fair" APR.
- Conservative: -1.5%, Moderate: -3.0%, Aggressive: -4.5% reduction in APR.
- Illustrative 8% interest uplift is calculated from the mid-point of the agreement to today (Statutory Interest style).
- This is an estimate only and does not constitute legal advice.
What this calculator does
This tool helps you estimate the potential value of a claim regarding hidden or discretionary commission on your motor finance agreement. Recent investigations by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have highlighted that millions of UK car finance agreements may have included undisclosed commission arrangements, potentially inflating the cost of borrowing.
What you’ll need
To get an accurate estimate, have your finance agreement handy. You specifically need the total cash price of the car, the deposit amount, the term length, and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). If you have a PCP agreement, the "Guaranteed Minimum Future Value" (GMFV) or balloon payment figure is also required.
How the estimate works
We calculate the total interest you paid based on your actual APR. We then recalculate the interest using a theoretical "fair" APR (minus a percentage representing the hidden commission). The difference represents the potential "redress" (compensation) for the overpayment.
Methodology & assumptions
- Interest Calculation: Uses standard compound interest amortisation formulas for PCP and HP.
- Fair APR Presets: Conservative (-1.5%), Moderate (-3.0%), Aggressive (-4.5%) to account for uncertainty on how much was hidden.
- Uplift: Adds 8% simple interest from the mid-point of the agreement to the current date, mirroring standard FOS redress calculations.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hidden commission arrangement?
It occurs when a car dealer or broker receives a commission from the lender based on the interest rate they charge you. This incentivised the dealer to set a higher APR, meaning you paid more than necessary.
Am I eligible to claim?
You are likely eligible if you took out PCP or Hire Purchase finance between 2007 and 2021, and the dealer did not tell you they were being paid commission to set your interest rate. 0% APR agreements and leases are generally excluded.
How much will I get back?
This depends on how much you borrowed, the APR, and how much the dealer was paid. The calculator provides an estimated range based on typical commission levels seen in the industry.
Does this apply to 0% APR finance?
Usually, no. If your interest rate was 0%, there was typically no discretionary commission involved because there was no interest to inflate. However, if your rate was 0% but you paid high fees, it is worth checking your agreement.
Is there a deadline to claim?
Currently, there is no strict deadline like the PPI deadline, but you should claim as soon as possible. Claims are usually subject to a 6-year limitation period from the date the agreement ended or you became aware of the issue.
What if I have already settled the car?
You can still claim. Even if you finished paying for the car, traded it in, or paid it off early, you may be entitled to a refund of the interest overpayment plus interest.
Do I need a claims management company?
No. You can complain directly to your lender for free. If the lender rejects your complaint, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which is also free. Claims management companies often take a percentage (up to 30% or more) of your payout.
What information do I need to make a complaint?
You need your agreement number, the name of the lender, and the start date of the finance. If you don't have the paperwork, contact the lender to request a copy of your credit agreement.