Financing a car with Hitachi Personal Finance (now trading as Novuna Personal Finance) should have been a straightforward route to affordable motoring. Yet a rising number of drivers have learned the figures they trusted contained hidden costs, largely because commissions were kept out of sight or affordability checks were handled far too lightly.
This guide shows you, in plain language, how to recognise whether your own Hitachi PCP agreement was mis‑sold and what you can do next.
What mis‑selling looks like in a Hitachi PCP agreement
Most upheld complaints fall into two broad themes. The first centres on undisclosed commission. Before January 2021, many Hitachi‑approved dealers could raise your interest rate, keeping the uplift as commission. The second involves inadequate affordability checks; agreements were written without verifying wages, regular bills or existing debt. Either failing is enough to trigger a refund of interest, fees and, in some cases, excess charges.
Undisclosed commission
Hitachi paperwork often included wording such as “the broker may receive a commission” without stating the amount. Customers, therefore, signed without realising the rate had been inflated purely to pay the dealership. The Financial Conduct Authority banned this practice, known as a Discretionary Commission Arrangement, in January 2021.
Inadequate affordability checks
Responsible lending rules require lenders and brokers to make proportionate enquiries about a borrower’s income and outgoings. In several recent Ombudsman rulings, Hitachi or its broker accepted rounded‑up salary figures, ignored childcare costs or approved credit after seeing only a driving licence.
Signs your Hitachi PCP may have been mis‑sold
While every agreement is unique, the same warning lights appear again and again in raised Hitachi PCP Claims:
- Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) was noticeably higher than the headline rate advertised in Hitachi’s own brochures or on comparison sites at the time – an indicator that the dealer applied a discretionary uplift for commission.
- No definitive commission figure appears anywhere in your agreement or pre‑contract disclosure documentation.
- You were never asked for payslips, bank statements or proof of regular expenses, yet approval was instant or near‑instant.
- The balloon (the lump sum due if you wanted to keep the vehicle) was mentioned verbally, but the salesperson could not show you how it was calculated, nor compare it to projected market values.
- You recall being urged to sign “today only” to secure the monthly payment, with no time offered to shop the quote.
Quick self‑check table
| Question | Yes | No |
| Did the dealership state – in pounds and pence – how much commission it would earn on your agreement? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Were you shown how your APR compared to Hitachi’s standard rate at the time? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Did the broker examine documentary proof of your income and living costs? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Was the balloon payment explained in writing alongside alternative end‑of‑term options? | ☐ | ☐ |
| Were you given at least 24 hours to review the paperwork before signing? | ☐ | ☐ |
If one or more answers sit in the No column, there is a realistic chance your PCP was mis‑sold. Two or more No responses make a formal enquiry strongly advisable.
Gathering evidence for a potential claim
Start by finding your original finance agreement, the Standard European Consumer Credit Information sheet (SECCI) and any dealer quotation emails. If documents are missing, you are entitled to submit a Subject Access Request to Novuna’s data protection team at dataprotection@novuna.co.uk. Ask specifically for:
* The signed credit agreement and any broker proposal forms. * Underwriting or affordability notes recorded by Hitachi at the time. * Commission disclosure – the exact pound amount or percentage paid to the introducing dealer.
These records form the backbone of a complaint. Without them, both Hitachi and the Financial Ombudsman must rely on your recollection, which can still succeed but takes longer.
How PCP Claimback Can Help with Your Hitachi PCP Claim
Navigating PCP mis-selling claims can be complicated, but you don’t have to go through it alone. PCP Claimback is a specialist claims management service that expertly handles Hitachi PCP claims, ensuring the process is simple, straightforward, and effective:
- Professional Claim Reviews: We assess the details of your PCP agreement to identify signs it may have been mis-sold, based on the information you provide.
- Comprehensive Claim Management: We handle all paperwork, evidence gathering, and communications on your behalf.
- Financial Ombudsman Support: If appropriate, we’ll advise you to escalate your claim to the Financial Ombudsman for independent support and a fair review.
- No Win, No Fee Service: You pay nothing unless your claim is successful.
PCP Claimback has already helped many Hitachi customers submit their claims for potential refunds
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