Personal story • UK motorists • PCP / HP finance
When I bought my car in 2018, I thought I got a fair deal. The salesman kept it simple: manageable monthly payments and an easy swap in a few years under a PCP agreement. Like most people, I signed without really understanding the fine print.
In 2025 a friend told me she used a quick free eligibility check to see if her PCP was mis-sold — and she turned out to be owed money. She said many dealers and brokers earned commissions that weren’t clearly explained, and that could mean higher interest than necessary.
I used the same free online check. In minutes, I saw my finance provider listed and learned I could be owed money because my rate may have been inflated to cover dealer commission.
I felt frustrated — I’d trusted the dealership. But I also felt relieved that there’s a clear way to find out if you’ve been affected. This isn’t rare: millions of UK drivers took out PCP or HP without understanding how commissions and balloon payments shaped the total cost.
If you financed a car any time from 2007 to 2021, it’s worth taking sixty seconds to run the eligibility check. You don’t need paperwork to start — just your name, the lender, and rough dates. There’s no obligation after the result.
Information only — not legal advice. Eligibility and outcomes vary by lender and personal circumstances.