What Is a Volkswagen PCP Claim?
A Volkswagen PCP claim is a legal process you can start if your car finance agreement was mis-sold. It doesn’t matter what model you drove—what matters is how the finance was structured and what you were (or weren’t) told.
PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) has been one of the most popular ways to buy a Volkswagen in the UK. But behind many of these agreements was a practice known as discretionary commission—where dealerships were allowed to adjust your interest rate to earn more commission, without having to tell you.
This issue was flagged by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which found that many customers were being charged more than necessary—and had no idea why. In some cases, drivers were told the rate was fixed by Volkswagen Financial Services, when in fact it had been inflated by the dealership.
If you took out a PCP deal on a Golf, Polo, Tiguan or any other Volkswagen between 2014 and 2020, and the finance wasn’t properly explained, you could have been mis-sold. That means you may be eligible to claim money back.
Start your free claim check today—no cost, no paperwork, no obligation.
How Do I Know If My Volkswagen Finance Was Mis-Sold?
You may have been mis-sold your Volkswagen PCP agreement if key details—like commission, interest rates, or alternative finance options—weren’t properly explained when the deal was offered.
For many drivers, a PCP deal seemed like the most accessible way to drive a new Volkswagen. But in practice, some dealerships and brokers structured those agreements to maximise their own earnings—often without telling the customer how or why.
A common example is discretionary commission: where the dealership could increase the interest rate to earn a bigger cut—without explaining that to you. In some cases, buyers were told the rate was fixed by Volkswagen Financial Services, when in fact it was adjusted in-house to benefit the broker.
Other signs of mis-selling include:
- No disclosure that the dealership would earn a commission
- No explanation of the final balloon payment or mileage restrictions
- No mention of cheaper or more suitable alternatives, like HP or a personal loan
If you felt rushed into the deal, weren’t shown other options, or later discovered you paid more than expected, you may have grounds for a Volkswagen PCP claim. It’s free to check, and there’s no pressure to go further.
Why Were Volkswagen PCP Deals Mis-Sold to Thousands of Drivers?
Volkswagen PCP deals were mis-sold because some dealerships were allowed to raise your interest rate to boost their commission—without ever telling you.
This practice was called a discretionary commission arrangement. Between 2014 and 2020, many Volkswagen dealerships and brokers had the power to increase the interest rate on your finance deal. The higher the rate, the more commission they made. But in most cases, this was never disclosed.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has since ruled that this type of arrangement created an unfair conflict of interest. Instead of helping you find the most cost-effective option, salespeople were incentivised to upsell you on a finance agreement that cost more—because they earned more.
This happened across the board—from Golfs and Tiguans to Passats and Polos. PCP was often promoted as the “default” finance option, with little to no discussion of alternatives like hire purchase or a straight bank loan.
If you signed an agreement without knowing how your interest rate was set, or how the dealership profited from it, you could have a valid claim.
What Volkswagen Models Are Affected by PCP Mis-Selling?
Any Volkswagen model financed through PCP between 2014 and 2020 could be affected—regardless of whether it was new, used, or returned.
Mis-selling doesn’t depend on which car you drove—it depends on how the finance was sold. If a dealership failed to disclose commission, inflated your interest rate, or didn’t offer fair alternatives, your agreement could qualify for review.
That said, certain models were more commonly financed using PCP and are more frequently linked to potentially mis-sold agreements:
| Model Category | Examples of Common PCP Vehicles |
| Hatchbacks & Estates | Volkswagen Golf, Polo, Passat, Arteon |
| SUVs | Volkswagen T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Touareg |
| Electric Range | Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 |
| Performance Models | Golf GTI, Golf R, T-Roc R, Touareg R |
Whether your agreement ended recently or years ago, you may still be eligible to make a claim—especially if you’ve only just discovered how the finance was structured.
Check your eligibility today. No obligation. No pressure.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive?
If your Volkswagen PCP agreement was mis-sold, you could be eligible for compensation—but how much you might receive depends entirely on your individual finance terms.
There are no fixed amounts. In cases where discretionary commission was involved, compensation is usually based on how much extra you paid in interest compared to a fair and transparent deal. For Volkswagen drivers—many of whom financed family cars, hatchbacks or electric vehicles—this could still amount to hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
What matters is whether your interest rate was inflated for commission, and whether that commission was disclosed. If a solicitor can show you paid more than you should have, they may be able to pursue a refund of the overpayment—plus interest.
Here are some illustrative examples only (not actual claim values):
| Volkswagen Model | Estimated Range (Illustrative) | Why the Range Varies |
| Polo | £500 – £1,200 | Shorter term, smaller finance amount |
| Golf / Tiguan | £1,000 – £2,500 | Common PCP model with moderate commission risk |
| Touareg | £1,500 – £3,500+ | High-value SUV, longer finance terms |
| ID.3 / ID.4 | £1,200 – £3,000 | Newer EV models with structured PCP offers |
These figures are hypothetical. Your agreement would need to be assessed by a solicitor to determine eligibility and value.
Start your free check today—no obligation, no upfront cost.
Do I Need to Pay to Make a Volkswagen PCP Claim?
No. You don’t need to pay anything upfront. If your case qualifies, it will be handled by a solicitor on a no-win, no-fee basis.
This means there’s no cost to have your Volkswagen finance agreement assessed. If signs of mis-selling are found and your case is accepted, it’ll be taken forward under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). That’s the legal term for a no-win, no-fee arrangement.
You’ll only pay a success fee if your claim is successful, and that fee will be agreed in advance. If the claim doesn’t proceed or doesn’t result in compensation, there’s nothing to pay.
We work only with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)-regulated firms, and every case is handled with clarity, compliance, and zero pressure.
If you’re unsure whether your PCP deal qualifies, you can start a free check today. There’s no commitment to go further unless you want to.
How to Start Your Volkswagen PCP Claim with Us
Starting your Volkswagen PCP claim is free, straightforward, and obligation-free. You won’t need any paperwork—just a few simple details.
We’ve designed the process to be as quick and transparent as possible. It’s built around your experience—not legal jargon. You stay in control throughout.
Here’s how it works:
- Complete the free eligibility form
Tell us which Volkswagen model you financed, when the agreement started, and how the deal was explained. - We review your case
Our team checks for key signs of mis-selling—like inflated interest rates or non-disclosure of commission. - Referral to a solicitor if eligible
If your claim meets the legal criteria, we’ll connect you with an SRA-regulated solicitor who may take your case forward on a no-win, no-fee basis.
You’re never under pressure to proceed. And you won’t pay anything unless your claim is successful.
Start your claim today—it only takes a couple of minutes.
Do I Have a Deadline to Claim for Mis-Sold Volkswagen Finance?
Yes—most PCP claims need to be made within six years of the agreement ending, or from the point you became aware it may have been mis-sold.
This means if your finance deal ended five years ago, you may still be within your window to claim. And if you’ve only recently discovered that commission may have been added to your agreement without your knowledge, the clock may start from that moment—legally known as the “date of knowledge.”
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned that many customers were misled about how their interest rate was set and how dealerships profited from the agreement. If you weren’t told the full picture, and only found out recently, you may still have time.
Deadlines can be complex, so it’s worth checking now rather than waiting.
Start your free check—it only takes a few minutes, and there’s no cost to find out where you stand.
Why Choose PCP Claims to Handle Your Case?
At PCP Claims, we focus solely on mis-sold car finance—and we understand how Volkswagen PCP agreements were sold, where things went wrong, and what to look for.
We don’t deal with payday loans or PPI. We only handle PCP and HP mis-selling. That means our entire process is built around one thing: helping drivers challenge unfair finance deals that were never properly explained.
Volkswagen drivers trust us because:
- We specialise in car finance mis-selling only
- Every case is handled by SRA-regulated solicitors
- We follow FCA guidance and keep everything compliant
- It’s no-win, no-fee—you won’t pay unless you win
- There’s no obligation to proceed beyond the free check
Whether you drove a Polo, Tiguan or Touareg, if your finance agreement was structured around hidden commission, we’ll help you uncover what really happened—and whether you could be owed money back.
Start your free claim check today.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I claim if I’ve already sold my Volkswagen?
Yes. You may still be eligible. What matters is how the finance was sold—not whether you still own the car.
-
Do used Volkswagens qualify?
Yes. PCP mis-selling can apply to both new and approved used vehicles, as long as the finance agreement was mis-sold.
-
Is every PCP agreement mis-sold?
No. Only agreements where commission was hidden or key finance details weren’t properly explained may qualify for a claim.
-
What’s the deadline for claiming?
Usually six years from when your agreement ended, or from the date you realised it may have been mis-sold.
-
Will claiming affect my credit score?
No. Checking your eligibility or making a PCP mis-selling claim won’t impact your credit rating.
-
Are all Volkswagen models covered?
Potentially, yes. Polo, Golf, Tiguan, Passat, ID models—all could be affected if mis-sold finance was involved.
-
What does no-win, no-fee mean?
You pay nothing upfront. If your claim is successful, a pre-agreed success fee is deducted from the payout. If not, there’s nothing to pay.
-
How long does a claim take?
It varies. Some claims are resolved in a few months, while others take longer depending on the lender’s response.
Latest News
Essential Questions to Ask Before Signing a PCP Agreement
A Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreement is a significant decision that requires thorough understanding and careful consideration. This blog post explores the essential questions you should ask.
Read More
Financial Ombudsman & PCP Claims
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) plays a crucial role in resolving PCP Claim disputes between consumers and financial service providers, including those related to PCP car finance mis-selling.
Read More
What is a PCP Agreement?
A PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) agreement is a type of car finance that allows you to drive a new or used vehicle for a fixed period, typically 2-4 years, with lower monthly payments compared to traditional car loans.
Read More
What is a PCP Claim?
A PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) claim involves seeking compensation for being mis-sold a PCP car finance agreement. Typically, these claims arise when consumers were not fully informed about the terms and conditions of their PCP contract, leading to unexpected financial burdens.
Read More