How to Identify Mis‑Sold PCP Agreements from Ford Credit

Ford Credit (FCE Bank plc) has provided tens of thousands of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements to UK drivers through its flagship “Ford Options” plan. While PCP deals are designed to offer manageable monthly payments and end-of-term flexibility, recent regulatory developments have raised concerns about how some agreements were structured in the years before 2021.

In 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed that several motor finance providers, including Ford Credit, are under review for historic commission arrangements. Although Ford has not announced a compensation scheme at this stage, the industry-wide investigation remains active, and many older agreements are now being examined for signs of mis-selling.

If you took out a Ford PCP before 28 January 2021, when the FCA banned discretionary commission models, your agreement could be affected. This guide outlines how to spot potential issues and what steps to take if you suspect your deal was unfair.

Rapid Self‑Check: Are You at Risk?

You don’t need to find your contract just yet. First, run through these quick questions.

Question	Yes	No
Did the dealer give you the SECCI (pre-contract credit info) before you signed?	☐	☐
Was proof of income recorded (e.g. payslips or bank statements)?	☐	☐
Were balloon payments and mileage limits explained in writing?	☐	☐
Was the dealer’s commission clearly disclosed?	☐	☐
Was your APR noticeably higher than Ford’s advertised rates at the time?	☐	☐

If you answered “No” to two or more, it’s worth reading on—your agreement may show signs of mis-selling.

Ford‑Specific Warning Signs

Complaints involving Ford Credit PCPs often share a few core issues. While every case is different, the most common themes include:

Undisclosed discretionary commission
Before 2021, dealers could adjust your APR and keep the difference as commission. In many cases, customers were not told this upfront.
APR significantly above base rates
Ford PCP rate sheets from 2018–2020 often showed typical APRs of around 5.9%. If your signed agreement is closer to 9–10%, that may suggest room for dealer-added commission.
Balloon payments higher than realistic resale values
A Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV) that’s overly optimistic can lower monthly payments, but increase your final risk. In some cases, this results in customers feeling pressured to refinance or extend.

Even a single issue may justify a complaint. When several warning signs appear together, the case is typically stronger.

Evidence Pack: What to Gather and Why

You don’t need legal training to build a strong complaint—just the right documents. Here’s what to look for:

Document	Why It Matters	Red Flag Clue
Signed PCP agreement & SECCI	Confirms APR, balloon figure and commission wording	Commission line vague or absent
Dealer quotation or offer form	Shows original quote vs. signed terms	Quoted APR = 5.9%; Contract = 9.2%
Credit application form	Lists stated income and expenses	Rounded income, no supporting documents
Invoices for add-ons	May reveal extra products rolled into the finance	GAP, service plans or warranties bundled in
Settlement letter from Ford Credit	Shows total interest paid over the term	High charges relative to agreement length

Getting these documents early helps prevent delays later on.

From Evidence to Complaint: A Step‑by‑Step Process

Once you’ve gathered your paperwork, follow these four steps to move your concerns into a formal complaint.

Request your file from Ford Credit
Email dataprotectionofficer@ford.com with a Subject Access Request. Ask for:
- Your credit application
- The SECCI document
- Any commission invoice or dealer remuneration notes
- Underwriting or affordability records
Check for key breaches
- Does the commission appear clearly in your paperwork?
- Was the APR significantly higher than the quote?
- Were you asked for payslips or bank statements?
Submit a complaint to Ford Credit
Write a formal letter or email quoting Section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and relevant FCA CONC rules (e.g. CONC 4 and 5). Ford Credit then has eight weeks to respond.
Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
If Ford Credit rejects your complaint or fails to respond in time, send your evidence to the FOS. Once they accept your case, their decision is binding.

Keeping copies of all correspondence helps avoid delays.

How PCP ClaimBack Can Help with Your Ford PCP Claim

Raising a finance complaint can feel complex, especially when commission terms aren’t clear or paperwork is missing. PCP ClaimBack handles the process on your behalf:

Initial Checks – We collect the information needed to help identify whether there may be grounds for a complaint.

Full Support – We manage the process on your behalf, including contacting the lender and keeping track of key steps along the way.
FOS Escalation Support – If Ford Credit rejects your claim, we guide you through the Ombudsman process.
No Win, No Fee – You only pay if we win compensation on your behalf.

“Some customers with Ford PCP agreements have raised concerns about interest rates, affordability, or how commission was handled. In some cases, this may lead to a formal complaint being submitted.”
– Craig Gedey, Claims Specialist, PCP ClaimBack

Not Sure If You Qualify?

If your Ford PCP was signed before 28 January 2021, and you’re unsure whether it was fair, you’re not alone. Many drivers are now revisiting their agreements.