Last updated: 5 July 2026
Claim Car Finance Compensation Yourself (DIY Route)
Consumer champions consistently highlight that you do not need to pay a third party a slice of your refund to complain. A DIY route means writing to your lender (we help you produce that letter) and using the Financial Ombudsman Service if needed.
Letter template vs “martin lewis car finance claim letter template”
Third-party PDFs circulate online. Ours is purpose-built for PS25/18-era motor finance grounds and includes tracing or data request wording where relevant. Always review before sending.
Why you should complain now instead of waiting
Lenders regularly purge old financial records under data retention policies. Submitting a complaint now forces the finance provider to locate and preserve your file. Consumer champions also warn that using a Claims Management Company (CMC) means losing up to 30% of any refund in fees, when you can complain directly yourself for free.
The 5-step roadmap to submitting a DIY complaint
1. **Gather details:** Find your vehicle registration, lender name (e.g. Black Horse, Santander, MotoNovo), and agreement number if available. 2. **Generate your letter:** Use our free builder to draft a customised complaint citing FCA regulations. 3. **Send to the lender:** Email the complaint to your lender’s official complaints team to lock in a digital trail. 4. **Await acknowledgement:** Lenders must track and log your complaint. Under FCA rules, you can escalate if unresolved. 5. **Review the outcome:** If your lender accepts commission charges occurred, they will calculate redress including 8% statutory interest.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Martin Lewis endorse this website?
- No independent endorsement is claimed. We align with the general principle of free or low-cost DIY complaints.
Ready to Claim Your Motor Finance Refund?
Don't let Claims Management Companies (CMCs) take 30% of your payout. Calculate your potential discretionary commission refund and generate a legal-grade complaint letter in 60 seconds.