Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

*This is a fictionalised account based on common experiences of people who were mis-sold PCP car finance. If any of it sounds familiar, you might want to look into your own agreement.

At the time, it felt like a no-brainer. New car, low monthly payments, no awkward haggle with someone in a nylon tie. Just sign on the dotted line, hand over your old banger’s keys, and drive off into the sunset. Job done.

Except… not really.

A year or so in, and that shiny “deal” started to feel less like a win and more like a monthly reminder that I’d been played.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. The payments were manageable, the car was shiny, and I wasn’t breaking down on the M6 every other week. But slowly, the cracks started to show. Not in the car – in the deal.

For starters, I realised I was paying way more than the car was actually worth. Like, thousands more. I’d basically signed up to rent it long-term, with the option to buy it at the end for a final lump sum they called a “balloon payment” – which, by the way, felt less like a balloon and more like a brick to the wallet.

Then there was the small matter of interest. No one had mentioned I’d be handing over that much in interest across the agreement. I’d assumed they were being straight with me. Turns out, they were being straight with their commission targets.

That’s when it clicked – the finance rep wasn’t there to help me make the best decision. They were there to shift finance plans. And the one they pushed just happened to be the one that paid them the biggest bonus. Convenient, right?

Worse still, I was never offered a proper breakdown of alternatives – no comparison with hire purchase, no mention of paying upfront interest, no real talk about what would happen if I wanted to end the deal early. It was all glossed over like one of those showroom wax jobs.

So yeah, I felt played. Not because I’d made some silly mistake, but because I was given half the story – the shiny half. The rest? Glossed over, ignored, or conveniently left out.

And the more I looked into it, the more I realised I wasn’t the only one. Turns out, a lot of people were pushed into finance deals that sounded great but were never properly explained. Which brings us to the big question…

What Counts as Mis-Selling?

So, how do you know if you were mis-sold your PCP deal? It’s not always about some dramatic scam – sometimes it’s just about what they didn’t say.

Here’s what should set your alarm bells ringing:

• They didn’t explain the interest properly

If they made it sound like you were getting some kind of interest-free miracle, but your paperwork says otherwise – that’s dodgy. You have a right to know exactly what you’re paying and why.

• No mention of commission

Car dealers used to pocket a tidy little bonus for flogging certain finance plans – a practice that’s now been banned. If they didn’t tell you about that – especially if it influenced what they offered you – it’s a problem.

• No comparison with other finance options

They should’ve talked you through all your choices – not just pushed the one that earned them the most. PCP isn’t the only finance option, but for some reason, it’s always the one on the table. Funny, that.

• They didn’t check if it was right for you

If you had bad credit, were on a low income, or clearly couldn’t afford the balloon payment – and they still pushed you into the deal – that’s irresponsible at best, mis-selling at worst.

• You weren’t told what happens at the end of the deal

Spoiler: you don’t automatically own the car. If they didn’t explain your options (buy, return, or part-exchange), that’s another red flag.

So… Can You Actually Do Something About It?

Short answer: yes.

If your car finance deal was mis-sold – whether they skipped the fine print, pushed a plan that didn’t suit you, or failed to explain their juicy commission – you could be owed money. Potentially thousands.

That’s where PCP claims come in.

A PCP claim is basically you saying, “Hang on a minute – I didn’t get the full story, and I want to be compensated for it.” And if your agreement ticks the boxes, there’s every chance you’ll get some money back.

Here’s how it works:

1. You check your agreement – most claims firms or legal teams will do this for free.
2. They look for signs of mis-selling – commission that wasn’t disclosed, lack of proper explanation, missing info, etc.
3. If it qualifies, they’ll handle the claim – and you could get compensation without having to deal with the finance company yourself.

It’s not about getting revenge or being dramatic. It’s about holding people to account for not playing fair – and getting back what you’re owed.

Think you might have a case?

If you’ve read this far and thought, hmm… this sounds a bit like what happened to me, it’s probably worth checking. Even if you’re not sure.

The claim check is quick, costs nothing, and could end up putting money back in your pocket. Worst case? You find out your deal was above board. Best case? You’re due a payout.

Who knows? Could sort your next holiday.