Do I still have a case if I signed a disclosure form at the dealership?

Guide 18 June 2025

headshot of Andrew Franks, expert in automotive and finance, and co-founder of Reclaim247
Andrew Franks
old man with a young woman talking beside a car

Signing a disclosure form at the dealership creates fear among consumers that they will lose their ability to file a mis-sold car finance UK claim. Many people mistakenly think that signing documents means they have given informed consent and cannot seek redress. The act of signing documents does not necessarily eliminate your ability to dispute false or deceptive financial contracts. The key issue is whether you were given clear, honest information before signing—not just whether you signed a document.

Most disclosure forms contain standard legal terms and complex language which most people find difficult to understand during the signing process. When critical information regarding commissions and interest rates was not clarified properly or if you felt pressured during signing, you might maintain a valid complaint. The article describes how your consumer rights stay protected and guides you on how to proceed with assurance.


What a Disclosure Form Typically Covers

The disclosure forms available at dealerships use extensive disclaimers and general legal terms intended to protect the finance provider while failing to clearly explain essential information to you. These forms may contain notes that the finance agreement has specific terms and conditions and declarations regarding your borrower responsibilities.

Disclosure forms typically use broad language like “the customer has received all relevant information” or “the customer acknowledges understanding of the finance terms which fail to provide details about interest rates or commission structures as well as third-party incentives.

The statement "no further representations have been made" serves to shield dealerships against the responsibility for commitments they verbally communicated during sales negotiations. The essential fee-related language is hidden within paperwork, which causes difficulty in finding it.

Dealerships use these forms to protect themselves from claims but just having signed documents doesn't confirm that customers were completely informed. Customers often sign documents without fully comprehending their contents or the verbal disclosures made during the sale process.



Why You May Still Have a Case

You may still have grounds to challenge your finance deal if the commission or interest arrangement was not properly explained before you signed. The dealership may have received a discretionary commission on your interest rate which was not disclosed to you; however, your agreement remains potentially mis-sold despite completing the disclosure form.

Signing the paperwork without adequate time to review it or under pressure, combined with misleading or incomplete disclosures, does not invalidate your consumer rights. This is why many people pursuing legitimate PCP claims find that the signed disclosure form is not a barrier to their case. PCP claims are typically valid for car finance agreements taken out between 2007 and January 2021.


Consumer Protection Under FCA Rules

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) emphasises the need for transparent and fair practices in consumer finance transactions with a special focus on car finance agreements. Instead of depending on signed documentation, financial service providers should follow regulatory requirements to ensure transparent and fair communication with consumers.

This means that the FCA cares about the substance of what was communicated, rather than the mere presence of a signature. If you were misled or critical information was hidden, your FCA car finance consumer rights protect you, regardless of whether you signed a disclosure form.


Conclusion

If you signed a disclosure form at the dealership but suspect you were mis-sold your car finance agreement, don’t dismiss your claim outright. A signature does not automatically eliminate your right to seek redress for unfair treatment.

You could still have a strong case, especially if crucial details about commissions or interest rates were not properly disclosed. You can obtain a free PCP claims check by submitting your car finance agreement details. Proceeding with this action will allow you to retrieve owed money and enforce your consumer finance rights according to today's regulations.

Related resources

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How Long Does a Mis-Sold Car Finance Claim Typically Take?

If you’re hesitating to start your mis-sold car finance claim, now’s the time to act. With a major Supreme Court ruling expected by July 2025 and the FCA preparing new guidance, early claims may be processed faster or prioritised. This step-by-step guide breaks down the typical claim timeline, key legal updates, and what you can do to speed things up. Whether you go through it alone or use a Claims Management Company, understanding the process could be the key to getting the compensation you deserve.

Guide24 June 2025

Can I be mis-sold if I chose the car finance option myself online?

Many believe choosing car finance online eliminates mis-selling risks, but hidden fees, unclear terms, and inadequate disclosures still put consumers at risk. Learn how to identify mis-selling and check your agreement with Reclaim247’s expert guidance on car finance mis-selling and PCP claims.

Reclaim247.co.uk is a trading style of Claimsline Group Ltd, registered in England and Wales, Company registration number 09071409. Registered Office: C/O Burton Varley Ltd, Suite 3, 2nd Floor, Didsbury House, 748 - 754 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, United Kingdom, M20 2DW. VAT registration number 199616255. Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office; registration number ZA059156. You can find our terms of use, privacy policy and our cookie policy here. Claimsline Group Ltd is a claims management company. Any solicitor we recommend you to is an independent professional from whom you will receive impartial and confidential advice. You are free to choose another solicitor. Claimsline Group Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activities FRN Number is 831196.

1Where No Win, No Fee is offered - You pay nothing unless your claim is successful. A fee between 18 - 36% applies on successful claims (fee dependant on level of redress secured), and a cancellation fee may apply outside the 14 day cooling-off period.

2£5,492.10 is the figure disclosed to Bott & Co Solicitors by Black Horse. £4,478.46 is the figure disclosed to Bott & Co Solicitors by Motonovo. £2,449.65 is the figure disclosed to Bott & Co Solicitors by Close Brothers. £4,298 is the figure disclosed to Bott & Co Solicitors by Santander.

***All figures disclosed on the results page of our form are based on Bott&co's average compensation payout being over £1,600.

4Free Online Checker refers only to the live soft-credit check completed online to identify your car finance agreements.