Month: April 2026

Car Finance Claims Deadline: When Do You Need to Act?

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One of the most common questions about the car finance mis-selling scandal is whether there is a deadline to claim. The honest answer is: not yet formally — but deadlines are coming, and the earlier you act, the stronger your position.

The FCA Has Extended Complaint Deadlines

In August 2023, the FCA announced that lenders would be given extra time to respond to car finance complaints while it conducted its review. This pause was extended in early 2024 and again following the Court of Appeal ruling in October 2024. Currently, lenders are not required to issue final responses to DCA-related complaints until at least after the Supreme Court delivers its judgment.

When Will a Formal Deadline Be Set?

Once the Supreme Court rules — expected in summer 2025 — the FCA is expected to publish its final redress scheme. That scheme will almost certainly include a deadline by which affected customers must submit their claims. Based on previous financial mis-selling redress schemes such as PPI, this deadline is likely to give customers at least 12 months’ notice, but it is not guaranteed and has not yet been confirmed.

What Is the Limitation Period?

Under general limitation rules, claims based on breach of contract or negligence must typically be brought within six years of the event — or three years from the date you became aware of it, if later. This means very old agreements could potentially fall outside the limitation period, though the FCA’s involvement and the specific legal basis of these claims means the position is more complex than a simple limitation calculation. Registering your claim now protects you from arguments about delay.

Why Acting Now Matters

Every redress scheme in recent memory — from PPI to packaged bank accounts — has had a cut-off date, and customers who missed it received nothing, regardless of how strong their underlying claim was. The car finance scheme will be no different. Registering early ensures you are on record, your agreement details are confirmed, and you are ready to receive your compensation as soon as the scheme opens for payouts.

Do not wait for a formal deadline to be announced. Check your eligibility today and make sure you are not one of the millions who misses out by leaving it too late.

Santander Car Finance Mis-Selling: Are You Owed a Refund?

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Santander Consumer Finance is one of the most significant names in the UK car finance mis-selling investigation. With millions of agreements written through dealerships over the past decade, a large number of Santander customers may be entitled to compensation. Here is what you need to know.

Santander’s Role in the Market

Santander Consumer Finance is a division of Santander UK plc and has been a major provider of dealership-arranged car finance for many years. During the period when discretionary commission arrangements were permitted, Santander — like virtually every other major lender — operated systems that allowed dealers to adjust customer interest rates in exchange for higher commissions.

What Has Santander Said?

Santander has confirmed it is one of the lenders affected by the FCA review and has set aside provisions to cover potential redress. The bank has been actively engaged with the FCA process and has paused the processing of DCA-related complaints in line with regulatory guidance, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling.

Am I Eligible If My Finance Was Through Santander?

The eligibility rules are the same as for any other lender: if you took out a PCP or HP agreement through a dealership that was funded by Santander Consumer Finance before 28 January 2021, you may have a valid claim. The agreement does not need to be active — settled and fully paid off agreements are equally in scope.

What If I Had Multiple Agreements?

If you financed more than one car through Santander during the relevant period, each agreement may be the subject of a separate claim. This is worth noting if you have been a loyal Santander customer across several vehicle purchases.

How Do I Get Started?

The first step is to confirm your eligibility and register your interest before the FCA’s redress scheme deadlines are published. Check whether your Santander agreement qualifies — it only takes a few minutes, and it costs nothing to find out where you stand.