The Best PCP Claims Company – A Guide
The best PCP claims company should offer you expert legal support, a no-win, no-fee guarantee, and a proven track record of successful claims. If you have bought a car on PCP finance in the last six years, you may have a case for hidden commission mis-selling. However, making a claim yourself can be an arduous and time-consuming process, so working with a specialist claims company can be beneficial.
In this guide
- What is PCP?
- What Are Mis-Sold Car Finance Claims?
- What are the FCA Registration Checks for PCP Companies in the UK?
- Scam Warning Signs – How Do I Know I Was Mis-Sold PCP Finance?
- How to Identify a Reputable PCP Claims Firm
- Which is the Best PCP Claims Company (UK) – Comparing Top Firms
- Start Your PCP Refund Claim (UK) With Calims Bible Today
- FAQs
Read on to find out more about PCP claims, whether you are eligible for compensation, and what to look for in the best PCP claims companies.
What is PCP?
PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) is a form of car finance that allows drivers to buy a car in instalments. The contract usually requires a deposit followed by a series of fixed monthly payments over an agreed-upon term (typically 2 – 4 years). At the end of the term, the car can be returned to the dealer, traded in for a different car on a new PCP agreement, or bought outright.
PCP is popular among drivers thanks to its relatively low monthly payments compared to other finance options. Drivers also have the freedom to select either a new or second-hand car, providing a large number of vehicles to choose from.
What Are Mis-Sold Car Finance Claims?
If you were given poor or negligent advice regarding your car finance options when you took out the PCP contract, or you were not made aware of a hidden commission fee paid by the lender, you could be entitled to compensation. It’s surprising how many people aren’t aware of this type of claim, so it’s worth checking your documentation to see if any hidden fees inflated the price of the contract.
Mis-sold car finance claims are a major topic in the UK financial sector. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) discovered that commission was paid on around 99% of UK car finance agreements, and research suggests that as many as 44% of these agreements would be considered unfair. This means millions of drivers could be owed compensation for paying more than they should have on their car finance deals.
What are the FCA Registration Checks for PCP Companies in the UK?
When choosing a PCP company, one of the most important things you need to do is check that the company is properly registered with the FCA. This protects you from scams and makes sure you’re working with a legitimate business.
Why FCA Registration Matters
The FCA is the UK’s financial regulator. Most firms providing regulated financial services must be authorised or registered by the FCA to carry out or promote financial services in the UK. If a company isn’t authorised by the FCA, you won’t have access to important protections if things go wrong.
Here’s what this means for you:
- No Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) access: If you have a complaint about an unauthorised firm, you can’t take your case to the FOS for help.
- No Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection: If the firm goes out of business or turns out to be fraudulent, you likely won’t get your money back.
- No regulatory oversight: Unauthorised firms don’t have to follow FCA rules about treating customers fairly.
How to Check if a PCP Company is FCA Registered
You can easily check if a car finance company is authorised by using the FCA Register on the FCA website. Here’s how:
- Visit the FCA website and go to the FCA Register page
- Enter the company name or FCA reference number
- Check that the firm is authorised and has permission to offer car finance services
- Look at the firm’s details, including their address and contact information
- Check if there are any warnings or restrictions against the firm
The Current FCA Investigation
It’s worth noting that the FCA is currently conducting a major investigation into the car finance sector. In August 2025, following a Supreme Court ruling, the FCA confirmed it planned to consult on a redress scheme for car finance commission claims by October 2025. The regulator extended the deadline for lenders to respond to complaints until December 4, 2025, as they gather evidence and design a fair compensation scheme.
There are speculations that this investigation could lead to the UK’s largest consumer finance payout since PPI. The FCA estimates that around 14 million car finance agreements were likely mis-sold, with typical payouts expected to be around £700 per agreement, though some claims may be worth significantly more depending on the circumstances. The actual payout amounts, scope, and scheme details are not finalized yet.
Protecting Yourself
Before you work with any PCP claims company in the UK, always:
- Check they’re registered with the FCA using the FCA Register
- Read reviews from other customers on independent review sites
- Ask about their fees and when you’ll need to pay them
- Get everything in writing before you agree to anything
- Never share your bank details until you’ve verified the company is legitimate
- Note that just because a firm is FCA-authorised does not guarantee no risk; it only gives you recourse via the regulator and compensation where applicable.
Scam Warning Signs – How Do I Know I Was Mis-Sold PCP Finance?
Here are some signs that you may have been mis-sold PCP finance and could be eligible to make a claim:
- Hidden commission: You were not told that the contract included a hidden commission and that this inflated the price of your deal.
- Fees: The fees were not properly explained to you, including details about the interest rate and terms.
- Product selection: The range of finance products available to you was not clearly explained.
- Competitive rates: You were not offered the most competitive rates at the time.
- Unaffordable lending: You were offered a product that you couldn’t realistically afford.
- Responsibility: It was not made clear to you who was responsible for vehicle repairs financially during the term of the agreement.
- Add-on insurance: You were sold add-on insurance that was overpriced and not required.
How to Identify a Reputable PCP Claims Firm
When choosing a PCP claims company, there are several things to consider. Here are some key factors to look out for:
- Experience: Look for a company that has experience in dealing with PCP claims. The more experience they have, the better equipped they will be to handle your case.
- Success rate: Check the company’s success rate in recovering money for its clients. A high success rate indicates that they are effective in handling similar claims.
- Fees: Make sure you understand the company’s fees before signing up for their services. Look for a company that is honest about its fees and offers a no-win, no-fee guarantee.
- Customer service: Choose a company that offers excellent customer service. They should be easy to contact and should be willing to answer any questions you have.
Which is the Best PCP Claims Company (UK) – Comparing Top Firms
The best PCP claims company UK will have specialist knowledge, transparent fees, and a proven track record. Let’s look at what separates the top firms from the rest.
What Makes a Claims Company Stand Out?
- Specialist Knowledge: The best car finance claims companies understand the ins and outs of PCP agreements, including discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), hidden fees, and unfair lending practices. They know exactly what to look for in your agreement and how to build a strong case.
- Legal Expertise: Top firms work with qualified solicitors who understand consumer rights law and have won cases in court. Some of the leading firms in this space have actually won landmark test cases that set legal precedents for PCP claims across the UK.
- Transparent Fee Structure: The best firms operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means you only pay if your claim is successful. However, fee percentages can vary significantly between companies. According to recent comparisons, success fees typically range from 18% to 36% of the compensation recovered. Some firms charge fixed fees instead, which could save you money if your claim is for a large amount.
- Transparency on Direct Handling: Some companies are actual law firms or claims management companies that will handle your case directly. Others are lead generation websites that sell your details to third parties. The best PCP claims companies let you know upfront if they handle cases in-house or work with trusted legal partners.
Key PCP Refund Claim Companies in the UK Market
Several companies have established themselves as leaders in the PCP claims space:
- Locksley Law: A fully regulated UK law firm authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 659355), specialising in PCP and motor finance mis-selling claims. The firm assists clients who believe they may have been misled, pressured, or charged hidden fees in connection with their car finance agreements Locksleylaw, including issues such as undisclosed commissions and unfair interest rates. Locksley Law operates on a no-win, no-fee basis, with fees ranging from 15–30% (excluding VAT) on successful claims depending on the level of redress secured.
- Bott and Co.: This law firm won the landmark case against Black Horse Finance that opened the door for thousands of PCP claims. They have extensive courtroom experience and have successfully represented thousands of clients. According to their website, they’ve won over 90% of mis-sold car finance claims that have gone to trial since January 2022.
- Reclaim247: Reclaim247 has represented over 500,000 claimants and is one of the most trusted names in the car finance claims sector. Reclaim247 works in partnership with solicitors to handle PCP claims on behalf of clients. Their fee structure ranges between 18 to 36% including VAT on successful claims, depending on the level of compensation secured.
- Slater and Gordon: As one of the UK’s leading consumer law firms, Slater and Gordon has experience from historic cases, including the £193 million Volkswagen Emissions settlement. The firm’s team of experienced solicitors specializes in financial mis-selling claims and keeps clients updated as claims progress. The firm operates on a no-win, no-fee basis with regulatory fee restrictions applying to all successful claims.
- Courmacs Legal: Courmacs Legal is a fully regulated UK law firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). As a fully regulated law firm, Courmacs Legal can represent clients directly in court if needed, without passing cases to a third party. The firm has worked with over 1.2 million clients on various consumer claims.
What to Ask Before Signing Up
Before you commit to any claims company, ask these important questions:
- Are you FCA registered?: Always verify this independently using the FCA Register.
- What are your fees?: Get the exact percentage or fixed amount you’ll pay if your claim succeeds.
- Who will actually handle my case?: Find out if it’s handled in-house or passed to a third party.
- What’s your success rate?: Ask for evidence of successful claims they’ve handled.
- How long will it take?: While the FCA pause means delays are likely until December 2025, companies should give you a realistic timeline.
- Can I cancel?: Ask questions about the cooling-off period and cancellation terms.
The Difference Between DIY and Using a Company
You can make a PCP refund claim yourself for free by contacting your lender directly and, if needed, the FOS. However, many people prefer using a claims company because:
- They handle all the paperwork and communications
- They know what evidence is needed and how to present it
- They can negotiate with lenders on your behalf
- They take away the stress and time commitment
- They have legal expertise if your case needs to go to court
The trade-off is that you’ll pay a percentage of any compensation you receive. For straightforward cases that are likely to be covered by the FCA’s upcoming redress scheme, doing it yourself might make sense. For more complex cases or if you want professional support, a reputable claims company could be worth the fee.
Start Your PCP Refund Claim (UK) With Calims Bible Today
The best company to support you with your PCP claim is Claims Bible. We offer step-by-step support to help you navigate this complex process. We know how stressful making a claim can be, so our expert legal partners will take care of everything for you. Our solicitors have processed hundreds of PCP claims, so you can be sure that they are experienced at getting the best possible outcome, no matter who you are claiming against.
You can submit a claim in less than three minutes; all you have to do is take a moment out of your day and fill in our quick form. Then, our legal partners will get to work assessing your case and deciding if you have a right to compensation. Fill out our enquiry form today to get started.
FAQs
How much compensation can I expect from a PCP claim?
The amount of compensation varies depending on your specific agreement and the type of commission involved. The FCA estimates that most people will receive under £950 per agreement, but some claims may be worth more. According to industry data, many successful claims have resulted in payouts between £1,000 and £5,000, with some high-value cases receiving up to £10,000. The compensation typically includes a refund of the extra interest you paid due to hidden commissions, plus statutory interest at 8% per year.
How long does a PCP claim take?
The timeline for mis-sold car finance claims varies. Under normal circumstances, lenders have eight weeks to respond to your complaint. If you’re not satisfied, you can escalate to the FOS, which aims to resolve cases within 90 days. However, due to the FCA’s current investigation, most commission-related complaints are paused until December 4, 2025. Once the pause lifts, cases should move forward more quickly. Overall, you should expect the process to take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of your case.
Can I still claim if I’ve already paid off my PCP agreement?
Yes, absolutely. You can make a mis-sold car finance claim even if you’ve already paid off your agreement. As long as your PCP contract was signed between April 6, 2007, and January 28, 2021, you may be eligible. Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have up to six years from the date of the agreement to make a claim. However, if you only recently became aware of the mis-selling (for example, through news about the FCA investigation), you may have three years from when you became aware to start your claim.
Will making a claim affect my credit score?
No, making a PCP claim will not affect your credit score. Complaints and compensation claims don’t appear on your credit report. Only missed payments and defaults impact your credit rating. You can pursue a claim without worrying about any negative effects on your credit file or your ability to get finance in the future.
What types of car finance are covered?
PCP refund claim UK cases cover Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Both new and used cars are covered, as well as other vehicles like motorcycles and vans, provided they were financed through a PCP or HP agreement. Personal Contract Hire (which is essentially car leasing) is not covered by the FCA investigation.
How do I know if my claim will be successful?
Your claim is more likely to be successful if you were not told about commission arrangements, the terms weren’t clearly explained, you were charged an unfair interest rate, or affordability checks weren’t properly conducted. Working with an experienced PCP claims company can help you understand the strength of your case before you proceed.
What should I do if my lender has gone out of business?
If your lender has gone bust, you can no longer claim directly against them. However, you may still be able to claim from the dealer or broker who arranged the PCP agreement. You should seek advice from a claims specialist who can help you identify the right party to pursue and guide you through the process.