Car Finance Refunds Update 2026: Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve been following the news about mis-sold car finance, you know it’s been a rollercoaster year.
From high-court battles to regulatory pauses, the landscape has shifted significantly.
As we head into 2026, millions of UK drivers are finally seeing a clearer path toward compensation.
The Latest Update: December 2025 Recap
The final weeks of 2025 brought much-needed clarity. Following the landmark Supreme Court ruling in August, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) spent the autumn consulting on a massive industry-wide redress scheme.
That consultation officially closed on December 12, 2025. While the banks and lenders have voiced concerns over the scale of the payouts—now estimated by some analysts to reach up to £20 billion—the FCA is forging ahead.
The regulator’s goal is simple: to ensure that the 14 million people who potentially overpaid for their cars get a fair deal without having to fight individual court battles.
Who is Eligible for a Refund?
The scope of the investigation is broad, covering nearly two decades of car finance. You are likely eligible for a refund if:
- The Date: You took out a finance agreement between April 6, 2007, and November 1, 2024.
- The Type: You used PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) or HP (Hire Purchase).
- The Issue: Your lender paid the car dealer a "discretionary commission"—essentially a hidden kickback for bumping up your interest rate—without your fully informed consent.
Crucial Note on Leasing (PCH): In a major update this month, the FCA confirmed that Personal Contract Hire (Leasing) is excluded from the new redress scheme. If you have a complaint about a lease, lenders must now respond to you within the standard 8-week window, as the temporary pause for PCH ended on December 5, 2025.
How Much Could You Receive?
While every case is different, the FCA’s current modelling suggests an average payout of roughly £700 per agreement. However, for those with high-value vehicles or multiple back-to-back PCP deals, that figure could easily climb into the thousands.
The refund consists of the "secret" commission you paid, plus compensatory interest (currently proposed at around 2.09%), intended to make up for the time you were out of pocket.
Should You Wait to Claim?
The short answer is no.
While lenders aren’t required to give you a final answer until the pause lifts in May, getting your complaint in the queue now is vital.
Those who have already submitted a claim will be at the front of the line when the redress scheme goes live.
You don't need a lawyer or a claims management company (who will take a cut of your money) to do this. You can start by simply asking your lender for a Subject Access Request (SAR) to see if a discretionary commission was involved in your deal.
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