Bank statements can be enough to start a claim

Many people worry they cannot begin a car finance claim because they no longer have the original agreement. This is especially common with older PCP car finance deals where paperwork has been lost or misplaced over the years. The reassuring truth is that bank statements are often enough to begin a PCP claim, even without the original contract. Your statements show that payments were made, when they were made and who they were made to. This gives lenders what they need to locate the agreement on their system and start reviewing it.

Customers often only realise something might be wrong after reading about the car finance scandal or looking at guides like What a typical mis-sold PCP agreement looks like. Once they start comparing their experience with the issues highlighted by the FCA, they begin to notice gaps that were never explained at the time.

Why bank statements help with PCP claims

Bank statements play a valuable role because they act as clear proof of payment. They show ongoing direct debits or standing orders linked to your finance provider. Even if you cannot remember the name of the lender, the payments help identify the account. Every lender stores internal data including contract numbers, vehicle details and payment schedules. Your bank statements give them enough information to connect your records with the correct file.

This is especially helpful for anyone asking Can I make a claim if the dealership closed down or changed ownership? because the dealership itself does not need to be involved. The lender still holds the information needed to investigate possible mis-sold car finance.

Why bank statements matter for older agreements

Many customers took out PCP car finance more than ten years ago. During that time, documents may have been lost, old email accounts closed or files deleted during house moves. Often the only remaining evidence is online banking history or a few saved statements. That is usually enough.

Lenders can work backwards from the payments shown on your bank statements and locate the original agreement using their archived systems. This is important for people who bought through a less traditional route, which is why many ask Can I claim if I bought my car from a broker or car supermarket? when checking whether their agreement may qualify.

The late-2025 context matters

The landscape is also shifting. As the FCA continues its work following widespread concerns about PCP commission claims, it expects lenders to fill in gaps using their internal records. This means customers should not feel pressured to dig out old paperwork. The regulator has made it clear that lenders hold the core information needed to verify the details of a car finance claim, especially for agreements taken out between 2007 and 2024. The consultation will determine how refunds are calculated [1] and the FCA scheme will define the rules [2].

As discussions around a potential redress scheme continue, the evidence requirements may become even simpler. This could make it easier for customers with limited documents to move forward with PCP claims.

A real-world example

Imagine a customer who took out PCP car finance in 2014 and made payments until 2018. They no longer have the original agreement, and the dealership has since changed hands. The only documents they still have are their bank statements showing monthly payments to the finance provider. That information alone is usually enough for the lender to find the account, check the original details and review whether the agreement shows signs of mis-sold car finance.

Missing paperwork should not hold you back

If you think your agreement may have been affected, missing documents should not stop you from checking. Bank statements give lenders a reliable starting point for their review. Taking the first step now can help you understand whether your agreement was involved in the issues at the centre of the car finance claims landscape.

You deserve clarity. A quick check can give you the information you need to decide what to do next.

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References:

1. The consultation will determine how refunds are calculated - https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/consultation/cp25-27.pdf
2. the FCA scheme will define the rules - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/14m-unfair-motor-loans-compensation-proposed-scheme