Close Brothers Motor Finance Claim: Was Your Agreement Mis-Sold?

Close Brothers Motor Finance is a specialist lender where motor finance is a core part of the business — not a side division. This concentration makes it one of the most scrutinised lenders in the FCA investigation. If you had a car, van, or motorbike financed through Close Brothers between 2007 and 2021, you may be entitled to compensation.

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Estimated Lender Exposure

Close Brothers is considered one of the most exposed lenders in the FCA investigation. Motor finance represents a substantial portion of the group's overall lending business, and the potential liability relative to its market capitalisation is significant.

Close Brothers Motor Finance is explicitly named in analyst and FCA discussions around motor finance DCA exposure. The company's share price declined sharply following the 2024 Court of Appeal ruling.

About Close Brothers Motor Finance

Parent Company: Close Brothers Group plc (LSE: CBG)
Active in Car Finance: Specialist motor lender; DCA period 2007–2021
Finance Products: Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Hire Purchase (HP), Commercial Vehicle Finance
UK Market Position: One of the UK's most significant specialist motor finance providers by exposure ratio

Who Is Close Brothers Motor Finance?

Close Brothers Group plc is a UK merchant banking and financial services company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Unlike major retail banks, Close Brothers built a significant portion of its lending book around motor finance — making it uniquely exposed to the FCA's investigation into discretionary commission arrangements.

Close Brothers Motor Finance provided loans to UK consumers buying cars, vans, motorbikes, and other vehicles through a network of dealerships. Its dealer network was extensive, and like all major motor lenders of the period, it operated the DCA commission model.

Why Close Brothers Is Considered High-Risk in This Investigation

For most high-street banks, motor finance represents a relatively small proportion of total assets. For Close Brothers, it is a defining business line. This means that:

The scale of potential DCA-related claims is large relative to the company's overall size
Investor and analyst attention on Close Brothers has been especially intense since the investigation began
Close Brothers has been frequently cited in coverage comparing the scandal to PPI, given the potential liability-to-asset ratio
The company has publicly acknowledged the issue and taken financial provisions in anticipation of claims

How Close Brothers' DCA Arrangements Worked

Close Brothers issued finance through its dealer network under a model where:

Each dealer was assigned a range of permissible interest rates
Dealers could set customer rates anywhere within the range without customer knowledge
Close Brothers paid commission to the dealer proportional to the interest rate set
Customers with similar credit profiles at different dealerships could end up paying very different rates

Are You Eligible to Claim?

You financed a vehicle through a dealership that used Close Brothers Motor Finance
Your agreement was signed between 2007 and 2021
The product was PCP or hire purchase (or similar conditional sale)
The commission arrangement between the dealer and Close Brothers was not disclosed to you

Finding Your Close Brothers Agreement

Subject Access Request: Contact Close Brothers Motor Finance in writing to request all data they hold on you, including the credit agreement and any commission documentation.
Credit file: Agreements will appear on your Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion credit file under Close Brothers or its parent company name.
Court of Appeal context: The 2024 Court of Appeal ruling (Johnson v FirstRand et al.) directly implicated the style of arrangements Close Brothers used. This strengthens the basis for claims.

Claim Process

Fill in the short form below — takes under 2 minutes.
A claims specialist reviews your case for eligibility under the FCA framework.
If eligible, the specialist submits your claim to Close Brothers and pursues it through the Financial Ombudsman if necessary.
Compensation is paid to you directly on success. No win, no fee arrangements apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Close Brothers particularly exposed in the FCA investigation? +

Motor finance is a central part of Close Brothers' business model, unlike major high-street banks where it is one of many products. This concentration means its liability as a proportion of its total business is larger than most other lenders.

Has Close Brothers already set aside money for claims? +

Yes. Close Brothers has publicly disclosed provisions for motor finance liabilities in its financial statements. This confirms the company accepts that claims are likely and is preparing financially.

Can I claim against Close Brothers even if I financed a motorbike or van? +

Potentially yes. The FCA investigation covers motor finance broadly, and Close Brothers operated in multiple vehicle categories. Check with a claims specialist whether your specific agreement qualifies.

Will Close Brothers still exist when claims are paid out? +

Close Brothers is a publicly listed company (CBG on the London Stock Exchange) and regulatory provisions are being made. The FCA's compensation scheme will provide a framework for payments regardless of individual lender circumstances.

Check If You Have a Close Brothers Motor Finance Claim

Complete the form below and an authorised claims specialist will review your case.