Updated: 30 March 2026

Originally Published: 28 February 2025

Latest Update (March 2026)

The Financial Conduct Authority is expected to provide an update on its review of motor finance complaints and potential redress measures today, 30 March 2026 after market close [1].

This update follows its consultation on a possible nationwide compensation scheme. The outcome of that announcement may further clarify how car finance claims and Black Horse finance claims will be handled going forward.

Key Takeaways

• You can claim against Black Horse Finance if your agreement was mis-sold between 2007 and 2024
• A Black Horse finance claim focuses on how the agreement was explained, not just the agreement itself
• Many car finance claims relate to commission structures that may have influenced interest rates
• The FCA is still reviewing consultation responses before deciding on a nationwide redress scheme [2]
• The pause on many complaints will lift on 31 May 2026 [3], allowing claims to move forward more actively
• Average car finance compensation has been estimated at around £700 [4], but this is not guaranteed
• A Black Horse refund checker can help assess eligibility before submitting a claim
• You can still claim even if your agreement has ended

Why Black Horse Claims Are Increasing

If you are searching how to claim against Black Horse Finance, you are not alone.

Across the UK, more drivers are revisiting older agreements after learning how the wider car finance scandal affected PCP and hire purchase deals. At the time, most agreements felt straightforward. You agreed a monthly payment and moved on.

What has changed is awareness.

As more detail has emerged around mis-sold car finance, drivers are now asking different questions. Was the interest rate influenced by commission? Was the deal explained clearly? Was there a genuine choice of lenders?

That shift is driving a sharp increase in Black Horse claims, PCP claims, and wider car finance claims.

At the same time, the Financial Conduct Authority has been reviewing how these agreements were structured. It has consulted on a potential redress scheme, but it is important to be precise. The FCA is still reviewing consultation responses and has not yet made a final decision on whether a nationwide scheme will be introduced.

This guide explains what that means in practice and how to move forward if you are considering a Black Horse finance claim.

Can You Claim Against Black Horse Finance?

This is the starting point for most people.

Can you claim against Black Horse Finance?

In many cases, yes.

You may be eligible if your agreement was not explained clearly or fairly when you signed it. The focus is not on whether you could afford the car. It is on whether the agreement gave you enough information to make an informed decision.

Common indicators include:

• commission was not clearly disclosed
• your interest rate may have been influenced by the dealer
• you were only shown one lender
• key terms were rushed or unclear
• the total cost was not properly explained

Not every agreement will qualify. The FCA has made clear that many agreements will fall outside compensation scope. That is why many people begin with a Black Horse refund checker or a car finance refund check before taking things further.

What Is Mis-Sold Car Finance?

Mis-sold car finance may sound like a complicated term, but the concept is actually straightforward.

It just means the product was not explained clearly enough for you to understand exactly what you were agreeing to.

With mis-sold car finance, that usually means:

• commission structures that weren’t made clear to you
• adjustable interest rates you were unaware of
• limited choice of lenders
• misunderstood or unclear explanation of PCP terms
• being pushed to sign up in a hurry

These issues now sit at the centre of many PCP refund claims and car finance claims across the UK.

Why Black Horse Claims Are Emerging Now

Most customers did not question their agreement at the time.

The process was designed to feel simple. The focus was on the monthly payment, not on how the deal was structured behind the scenes.

It is only in recent years that these details have become more visible.

As awareness has grown, more drivers are looking back at older agreements and asking whether they would have made the same decision with full information. That is why Black Horse finance claims are increasing now rather than earlier.

What Changed in 2025 and 2026

This is where many older articles are now out of date.

The FCA has:

• investigated commission practices across the industry
• consulted on a potential compensation scheme
• received a large volume of consultation responses
• confirmed it is still reviewing those responses

At the same time, it has confirmed a key development:

• the pause on many complaint responses will lift on 31 May 2026

It does at least provide more certainty around what claims will and won’t succeed in car finance. Although the final shape of any redress scheme is still to be determined.

So when you hear people asking:

“When is Black Horse paying out?”

You can provide the true response:

• Payments will vary depending on the outcome of individual claims.
• Timelines will depend on how claims fare after May 2026.
• Final outcomes may also be subject to further FCA rulings.

As of late March 2026, the FCA is also expected to provide an update following its consultation on a potential redress scheme. This announcement is due after market close today, 30 March 2026 and may provide further clarity on how compensation and complaint handling will proceed.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim Against Black Horse Finance

Step 1: Check If Your Agreement Is Worth Reviewing

Before starting a full claim, you need to understand whether your agreement is likely to be relevant.

You can:

• review your documents yourself
• use a Black Horse refund checker
• complete a car finance refund check

This step is only to help you decide whether to continue. It won't commit you to anything.

Step 2: Gather Basic Information

You do not need a complete file to start.

Start with:

• your name and address history
• vehicle details
• approximate agreement date
• lender name

If available, include:

• agreement documents
• payment history
• dealer emails

If you are missing documents, you can request them later. Many successful car finance claims begin with incomplete information.

Step 3: Submit Your Complaint

This is where your Black Horse claim formally begins.

Your complaint should explain:

• why you believe the agreement involved mis-sold car finance
• what was unclear or not disclosed
• how that affected your decision

Keep your wording simple and factual. You do not need legal language.

Step 4: Wait for Review

Once submitted:

• your complaint is logged
• Black Horse reviews your agreement
• commission and pricing are assessed

Because of the regulatory pause, many claims will begin progressing more actively after 31 May 2026.

Step 5: Escalate If Needed

If your claim is rejected or the outcome does not seem complete, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

This is a common step in more complex PCP claims and car finance claims.

How Much Black Horse Finance Compensation Could You Receive?

One of the most frequent questions we get.

There’s no set answer.

The FCA has suggested that average car finance compensation across the market could be around £700 per agreement. This is a broad estimate, not a guaranteed outcome.

A successful claim may include:

• refund of excess interest
• repayment of undisclosed commission
• additional interest on refunded sums
• adjustments to credit records

This is why payouts 2026 will vary widely.

How Long Do Black Horse Claims Take?

There is no universal timeline.

The most important milestone is:

• 31 May 2026, when the complaint pause lifts

After that:

• claims should begin progressing more actively
• timelines will still vary based on volume and complexity

If you are asking how long a car finance claim or PCP claim takes, the most accurate answer is that timing depends on where your case sits within the wider process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some delays are unavoidable. Others are not.

Common issues include:

• waiting for perfect paperwork before starting
• submitting unclear complaints
• not responding to follow-up requests
• assuming every agreement qualifies

A simple and timely Black Horse finance claim is usually more effective than a delayed one.

Should You Use a Finance Claims Expert?

You can handle your own claim.

Some people choose to work with a finance claims expert or a PCP claims company for support.

They can help with:

• locating agreements
• structuring your complaint
• managing communication
• guiding escalation

They support the process. They do not change eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a claim against Black Horse Finance after the end of the agreement?

Yes, it is possible in most cases. The main thing is how it was sold at the time, not if it is still running. 

How do I make a claim against Black Horse?

Check if eligible, provide basic information and submit a complaint.

How much compensation am I entitled to?

It will vary. The FCA have estimated an average of around £700, but results will vary.

When will Black Horse be making payments?

This will depend on individual claims and how the regulatory process goes beyond May 2026.

Is a Black Horse refund checker an official claim?

No. This is a preliminary eligibility check.

What to Do Next

If you have read this far, you likely already have a sense that your agreement may be worth reviewing.

You do not need complete certainty before taking the next step. Most people start with partial information and build from there. What matters is understanding whether your agreement could fall within the wider car finance mis-selling issue.

A simple way to begin is to carry out a car finance refund check or use a Black Horse refund checker. This gives you an early indication of whether your agreement may qualify, without committing you to a full claim.

From there you can decide what you want to do next. Some people submit a Black Horse finance claim directly. Others prefer support from a finance claims expert or a PCP claims company, especially if documents are missing or the process feels unclear.

It is also worth keeping timing in perspective. The FCA is still reviewing consultation responses and has not yet confirmed whether a nationwide redress scheme will be introduced. However, the pause on many complaints will lift on 31 May 2026, which means claims are expected to start progressing more actively after that point.

That makes now a sensible time to prepare.

Check your agreement. Gather what you can. Understand your position.

That is how most car finance claims begin, and it is the clearest way to move forward with confidence.

With an FCA update expected later today, the position may become clearer very soon, but it remains important to understand your own agreement rather than wait for a single announcement.

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References:

1. The Financial Conduct Authority is expected to provide an update on its review of motor finance complaints and potential redress measures today, 30 March 2026 after market close - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/timing-fca-motor-finance-announcement
2. The FCA is still reviewing consultation responses before deciding on a nationwide redress scheme - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/fca-consults-motor-finance-compensation-scheme
3. The pause on many complaints will lift on 31 May 2026 - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/motor-finance-compensation-scheme-include-implementation-period
4. Average car finance compensation has been estimated at around £700 - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/14m-unfair-motor-loans-compensation-proposed-scheme