If you used Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP) to finance a car, the agreement may be worth checking. The current motor-finance scheme can cover some agreements made between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Not every agreement qualifies. Starting a check does not guarantee a claim or compensation.
Check a past PCP or HP agreement
What is the difference between PCP and HP?
Both PCP and HP let you pay for a car over time.
With HP, your monthly payments normally cover the full cost of the car plus interest. You usually own the car after the final payment.
With PCP, monthly payments are usually lower because a larger optional final payment remains at the end. You can often return the car, pay the final amount to keep it, or move to another agreement.
For car-finance claims, the agreement terms and what you were told when you signed matter more than whether you still own the vehicle.
Which agreements may be relevant?
An agreement may be worth checking when:
- It was PCP or HP for a car, van, motorbike, or campervan.
- It began between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
- A dealer or broker arranged the finance with a lender.
- You are unsure what the dealer, broker, or lender disclosed when you signed.
These points do not confirm eligibility. They only show that an agreement may fall within the broad period and agreement types covered by the current scheme.
What information should you find?
Gather what you can before starting:
- The lender or finance company name.
- The dealer or broker name.
- The vehicle registration, make, and model.
- The approximate agreement start date.
- The agreement number, if you still have it.
- Old statements, emails, or finance documents.
Do not worry if some paperwork is missing. Old bank statements, credit records, or the supplying dealer may help you identify the lender.
What happens during a claim check?
The checker asks for details about you and the finance agreement. It then assesses whether the agreement may be relevant and explains the next steps under the provider's terms.
Read the service terms, privacy notice, and fee information before you sign anything. Avoid appointing more than one representative for the same agreement.
What is the current position?
As at 26 August 2026, parts of the motor-finance scheme remain suspended following a legal challenge. This means the timing of decisions and any payments remains uncertain.
The position can change. A claim check is an initial assessment, not a decision that compensation is due.
Check an agreement
Use PetrolPal's car finance claims page to continue to TotalClaim, PetrolPal's paid partner service. TotalClaim's own terms, privacy notice, and fees apply.
