Barclays Partner Finance issued thousands of car finance agreements between 2007 and 2019, covering both Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) deals. Although Barclays exited the car finance market in late 2019, its lending practices continue to be scrutinised. In its 2024 results reporting, Barclays disclosed provisions of around £90 million for potential motor-finance claims related to historic commission arrangements.
If you bought a car, whether an Audi, Mercedes, or BMW, through dealer-arranged finance backed by Barclays, you could be affected. This guide explains how to spot signs of a mis-sold PCP agreement, what evidence to gather, and how to take your first steps toward compensation.
Barclays Compensation Fund on Standby
Barclays’ provision does not guarantee every customer will receive a refund. However, it signals the lender expects to settle claims where unfairness is demonstrated (for example, discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) pre-28 January 2021, or weak affordability checks). Note that commission-related complaints are currently subject to FCA timetabling, with firms’ final responses paused until 4 December 2025 while the FCA designs an industry-wide redress scheme.
In practice, a well-supported complaint is more likely to receive a fair outcome once the FCA has finalised its approach. Documenting the issues below can improve your chances.
Quick Self-Check: Are You at Risk?
Use this checklist to identify common Barclays-related concerns. Be honest — your memory and paperwork are your best tools.
| Question | Yes | No |
| Did the dealer clearly explain the balloon payment and mileage cap? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Were you given a SECCI (Standard European Consumer Credit Information) sheet before signing? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Was any dealer commission mentioned or documented? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Were you asked for payslips or bank statements to verify affordability? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Did your APR exceed the rates Barclays advertised at the time? | ☐ | ☐ |
If you answered “No” to two or more questions, this may suggest that your agreement was mis-sold or could be considered unfair under Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, depending on your circumstances. You may wish to seek advice or raise a complaint with your lender.
Five Barclays-Specific Warning Signs
Cases involving Barclays Partner Finance that have been upheld by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or challenged in court often share these characteristics:
- Undisclosed discretionary commission. Barclays allowed dealers to increase interest rates to earn more commission (a DCA) — a practice the FCA banned from 28 January 2021.
- Material APR uplift versus quotes. APR in the signed agreement is higher than initially quoted or materially above contemporary market offers, consistent with dealership rate-setting.
- Missing affordability checks. Some files lack evidence that income/outgoings were verified (e.g., no payslips/bank statements), which may not meet FCA CONC 5 standards on affordability.
- Non-transparent wording. Pre-contract/SECCI documents sometimes say only that a commission “may be paid”, with no meaningful explanation — an area the FCA has highlighted in its communications.
Even one of these red flags may justify a complaint; several combined strengthen your case.
Evidence Pack: What to Gather and Why
To support your Barclays claim, collect and review the following documents for signs of non-disclosure or unfair practice:
| Document | Why It Matters | Red-Flag Clues |
| Signed finance agreement & SECCI | Confirms APR, balloon payment, and commission wording | Commission section blank or vague |
| Dealer invoice or order form | Shows vehicle price and dealer incentives | “Finance bonus” or “commission paid” noted |
| Credit application form | Should show proof of income checks | No evidence of payslips or real-world affordability |
| Barclays settlement letter | Breaks down interest repaid | Total interest unusually high for term and amount |
| Commission disclosure (if available) | Confirms dealer payments | Generic wording only; no figures/explanation |
Don’t worry if paperwork is missing: you can make a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) via Barclays Partner Finance’s privacy page to obtain copies. You can still raise a complaint without the documents/additional information; however, having supporting evidence may strengthen your case.
From Evidence to Complaint: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to turn concerns into a well-prepared Barclays PCP claim:
- Request your file.
Make a Subject Access Request (DSAR) for your credit application, SECCI, any commission details, and underwriting/affordability records via Barclays Partner Finance’s privacy page (or contact options listed on the BPF site). - Review your documents.
Check income declarations against evidence, note commission disclosures, and verify whether affordability checks were carried out. - File a complaint with Barclays Partner Finance.
Reference Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (the “unfair relationship” test) and relevant FCA CONC rules (commission disclosure and affordability). Important: for commission-related complaints, firms do not need to issue a final response until after 4 December 2025 (FCA pause) — but submitting now protects your place in the queue. You can also use Barclays’ dedicated motor commission page. - Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman.
If you remain unsatisfied once a response is issued (after the pause ends), you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service for a binding decision (noting its award limits).
Being thorough and organised will improve your chances at every stage.
How PCP ClaimBack Can Help with Your Barclays PCP Claim
Managing a mis-selling complaint can be time-consuming, especially when legal and regulatory terms are involved. PCP ClaimBack offers support to simplify the process:
- Expert Support – we help identify signs of inflated interest or hidden commission in your Barclays agreement.
- Full Claim Management – we handle all paperwork, communications, and timelines for you.
- Ombudsman Assistance – if Barclays rejects or delays your claim unfairly, we advise you on escalating to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
- No Win, No Fee – A success fee between 18% and 36% (including VAT) will be charged if your claim is successful. If you cancel your claim after the 14-day cooling-off period, you may still be charged a fee to cover our reasonable costs incurred in relation to Our Services at the rate of £75 per hour (including VAT).
“Barclays may have exited the motor finance market in 2019, but many agreements remain under review. If the dealer commission increased your interest rate without clear disclosure, you might be eligible for compensation.” — Craig Gedey, Claims Specialist, PCP ClaimBack
Think you might be affected? Start with our Barclays PCP claims page to explore your options.
