89 percent of car finance complainants want offers now
The Financial Conduct Authority supports lenders making car finance settlement offers, provided customers receive no less than under its compensation scheme. A Kantar survey in June 2026 found 89 percent of those who have complained or are considering it want the choice now.
Customers want the choice
Of car finance customers who have complained or are considering it, 89 percent want the option of an offer now rather than waiting for the legal challenges to the compensation scheme to conclude.
86 percent would be comfortable making that decision, and 61 percent would accept an offer in line with the scheme.
For 77 percent, earlier payment would make a great deal or fair amount of difference to their finances.
Kantar surveyed 1,000 customers in June 2026; the findings rest on 590 respondents.
Barclays Partner Finance confirmed it will make offers to some customers.
Take it or leave it
Lenders must offer no less than the scheme pays and state that accepting means keeping the money even if the legal outcome would have paid less, with no claim for more if it would have paid more.
Offers cannot go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The scheme is partially suspended until challenges are heard between February 16 and March 3, 2027; firms keep preparing but need not pay.
“Anyone who wants to wait can,” said general counsel Stephen Braviner Roman.
A gamble with a price tag
The FCA gives claimants a real option but leaves them to price a legal gamble themselves.
Accepting locks in the amount whether the courts raise or lower the payout.
Claimants should weigh that against the 36 percent that law firms may charge, which the free complaint route avoids.