Updated: 4 August 2026

Originally Published: 03 March 2025

Close Brothers is one of several lenders involved in the ongoing car finance scandal, which has prompted millions of motorists across the UK to revisit finance agreements they signed over the past two decades.

If you're wondering:

• can I claim against Close Brothers Finance?
• Is a Close Brothers finance refund available?
• How do I start a Close Brothers claim?

you're not alone.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed plans for an industry-wide redress scheme covering eligible motor finance agreements taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 [1]. Although parts of the proposed scheme remain subject to legal challenges [2], motorists can still begin the claims process while the remaining issues are resolved.

This guide explains how to make a car finance claim against Close Brothers, from checking whether your agreement could be eligible to understanding what happens after you submit your claim.

If you'd like to learn more about the latest FCA developments, eligibility criteria and the wider review process, read our guide to Close Brothers Finance Claims.

Close Brothers Claim at a Glance

• Who can claim? Drivers with eligible Close Brothers HP or PCP agreements taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
• Can I claim without paperwork? Yes. Historic agreements can often be traced.
• Average FCA estimate: £829 (individual awards vary).
• Current position: Claims can still be submitted while legal proceedings continue.
• Expected payments: Likely from 2027, subject to the outcome of ongoing legal challenges.

What You'll Learn

In this guide, we'll cover:

• how to check whether your agreement could be eligible
• what information you'll need before making a claim
• how to find old car finance agreements if you no longer have the paperwork
• the difference between claiming directly and using a finance claims expert
• what happens after you submit your claim
• the latest FCA updates and what they could mean for compensation

Step 1: Check Whether Your Agreement Could Be Eligible

The first step is simply finding out whether your agreement could fall within the scope of the FCA's proposed redress scheme. You don't need to prove that your agreement involved mis-sold car finance before getting started.

In general, you may be eligible to make a Close Brothers claim if:

• your agreement was taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024
• it was used to finance a vehicle for personal use
• it was a Hire Purchase (HP) or PCP car finance agreement

Not every agreement from this period will qualify for car finance compensation, but it's often worth checking if you're unsure how your finance was arranged or whether commission was explained at the time.

Most motorists will start their journey with a Close Brothers refund checker or car finance refund check. These initial checks will help you to determine whether your agreement could potentially fall within the FCA’s proposed scheme. This would be before you commit to taking your claim any further.

If you're unsure whether your agreement could qualify or would like to understand more about the FCA's eligibility criteria, our guide to Close Brothers Finance Claims explains who may be covered and how the review process works.

Step 2: Gather the Information You'll Need

Once you've checked whether your agreement could be eligible, the next step is gathering whatever information you still have about your finance.

Don't worry if you can't find every document. Many motorists took out finance several years ago and no longer have the original paperwork.

It's helpful to have:

• your full name and any previous names
• your date of birth
• your current and previous addresses
• the approximate date you took out the agreement
• the vehicle registration, make or model, if you know it

If you still have them, you can also include:

• your finance agreement
• settlement letters
• payment records or bank statements
• emails or letters from Close Brothers or the dealership

How to Find Old Car Finance Agreements

If you're wondering how to find old car finance agreements or searching online for "find my car finance agreements", there are several places you can start.

You may be able to locate details by checking:

• old bank statements
• email confirmations
• dealership paperwork
• your credit reports with Experian, Equifax or TransUnion

Credit reports often show historic finance accounts, including the lender's name, account status and the dates the agreement was active. While they may not include every detail of your finance agreement, they can be a useful starting point if you've misplaced your paperwork.

If you still can't find your documents, don't let that stop you from making a car finance claim. Many finance claims experts and regulated claims management companies can carry out a car finance refund check or PCP claim check using basic personal details. Depending on the provider, they may also be search credit reference agency records and vehicle registration databases to identify historic finance agreements linked to you.

Missing paperwork doesn't automatically prevent you from making a Close Brothers claim, as lenders can often trace agreements using the information you provide.

Step 3: Decide How You Want to Make Your Claim

After you’ve collected all the necessary information, the next step is to determine how you’d like to make a Close Brothers claim.

There are two ways to go about making a car finance claim. The first is to complain directly to Close Brothers and the other is to engage a finance claims expert or regulated claims management company to deal with the case on your behalf. Both routes are open to you, and the correct course of action is the one you are most comfortable with.

Option 1: File a claim directly

You don't have to use a third party to make a claim. If you think your agreement may have been affected by mis-selling of car finance you can contact Close Brothers directly and explain why you believe your agreement should be reviewed.

Include any information you have about your finance agreement when you make your claim and set out your concerns as clearly as you can. You don't need to use legal terms or fully understand the FCA car finance review to make a claim.

Option 2: Use a finance claims expert

Some motorists prefer to use a finance claims expert or regulated claims management company to guide them through the process.

Many providers begin with an online Close Brothers refund checker or car finance refund check, where you'll usually be asked to provide some basic details, such as:

• your full name
• your date of birth
• your current contact details
• your address history

You won't normally need your finance agreement or account number to complete an initial check.

Depending on the provider, those details may be used to search credit reference agency records and vehicle registration databases to identify historic finance agreements linked to you. This can help locate agreements you may have forgotten about, even if you've changed your name, moved house or no longer have the paperwork.

If eligible agreements are found, they'll usually be reviewed before a claim is prepared and submitted. Some providers also work with specialist legal partners who gather supporting information, deal directly with lenders and manage the claims process, including PCP car claims, on your behalf.

Before selecting a claims management company take time to understand how they will charge for their services and read their terms and conditions carefully. Remember, you can always complain to Close Brothers directly.

Whichever option you take, eligibility for car finance compensation will be decided in the same way under the FCA process. Using a third party has no bearing on whether your PCP claim, PCP compensation claim or other PCP finance claims qualify, but some people prefer the additional help and convenience.

Step 4: File Your Close Brothers Claim

Having made the decision on how to take things forward, you now need to make your Close Brothers claim.

In order to make a Close Brothers claim you will generally be required to provide your personal details, along with what you know about your finance agreement and a short description on why you think it warrants investigation. The claim does not need to be an essay or drafted in legalese. A concise summary of your concerns is sufficient to set the ball rolling. .

If you have instructed a finance claims expert, they will generally use the information you have provided to them to prepare and submit the claim on your behalf. They may need to get in touch with you if they require additional documents or further information before submission.

Once your claim has been submitted, it will be acknowledged by Close Brothers or your instructed representative. The agreement then enters the lender review stage. It is evaluated against the proposed redress by the FCA and any other information that they have.

Step 5: What Happens Once Your Claim Is Submitted?

Submitting your claim is just the first step. Once received, Close Brothers will start to assess your agreement to see if it is likely to fall within the FCA’s proposed redress scheme.

Each claim is dealt with on its own merits and in most cases you can expect:

• Acknowledgement of your claim. You will normally receive an acknowledgement that your claim has been received and is under review.
• Reviewing your agreement. Close Brothers will assess the information held about your finance agreement alongside the FCA's proposed eligibility criteria.
• Requesting further information if needed. If any details are missing or require clarification, you'll be contacted before the review continues.
• Reaching an outcome. Once the review is complete and the relevant stage of the FCA process allows, you'll be informed of the outcome of your claim.

The overall timescale is dependent on ongoing legal challenges. Elements of the proposed redress scheme are currently being reviewed by the Upper Tribunal [3]. In the meantime, motorists can continue to make car finance claims and lenders should continue to prepare for the redress scheme.

Why Close Brothers Has Been at the Centre of the Car Finance Scandal

Close Brothers has been one of the most closely watched lenders throughout the car finance investigation. Its involvement in several of the key legal developments means many motorists have followed news about the lender more closely than others, particularly as the FCA's proposed redress scheme has evolved.

Like other lenders, Close Brothers is preparing for the FCA's proposed redress scheme while parts of the framework remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings. Those challenges have delayed the timetable, but they haven't stopped motorists from checking whether they could have a valid Close Brothers claim.

If you have been biding your time for the legal process to play out, bear in mind that you don't have to wait until the end result is known to gather information or to check whether your agreement could be eligible.

When Could Close Brothers Pay Compensation?

Many motorists are asking when a Close Brothers finance refund might be paid.

While the FCA originally set out a timetable that could have seen some payouts 2026, that schedule has changed because of the ongoing Tribunal proceedings. At the time of writing, there is no confirmed payment date, and compensation is now widely expected to begin during 2027 if the proposed scheme proceeds.

The timing may change again depending on the outcome of those legal challenges, but motorists can continue submitting car finance claims while the FCA finalises the next stage of the process.

Before You Submit Your Claim

A few simple checks before submitting your claim can save time later.

• Make sure your contact information is correct.
• Attach any documents you have, even if they are not complete.
• Keep copies of any documents you send or receive.
• If you are requested to provide more information, do so quickly.
• A PCP claim is considered on an individual basis, so don't automatically expect your contract to be eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a claim against Close Brothers Finance if my agreement is paid off?

Yes. You may still be able to make a Close Brothers claim even if you have finished payments on your finance or no longer own the car. It is the date the agreement was entered into and whether it falls within the FCA's proposed redress scheme that's relevant, not whether the finance is still outstanding.

Where can I find my old Close Brothers finance agreement?

If you've lost your paperwork, check your old bank statements, emails and credit reports with Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. If you still can't find it, a car finance refund check or Close Brothers refund checker may be able to spot historic finance agreements using your basic personal information.

Can I make a PCP claim against Close Brothers?

If you financed a car on a PCP agreement with Close Brothers between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 for personal use, your agreement could be eligible for review. All PCP claims, PCP compensation claims and mis-sold PCP car finance cases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis so there is no guarantee of eligibility.

How much could I be refunded from Close Brothers finance?

There is no set amount. All Close Brothers finance refunds or car finance compensation will be assessed on a case by case basis, taking into account your personal agreement and the FCA's proposed redress scheme.

The FCA estimates that eligible motorists could receive £829 on average [4], but this is an overall estimate across all qualifying agreements. Some people may receive more, others less, and not every agreement will qualify.

If you'd like to learn more about how compensation may be calculated and what could affect a PCP refund, read our guide to What Is the Close Brothers Scandal?

Can I make a claim if I don't know if my agreement was HP or PCP?

Many drivers do not recall the finance type used especially where the agreement was taken out some years previously. You do not need to know this in advance of starting a Close Brothers claim. In many instances a Close Brothers refund checker or car finance refund check will be able to identify the agreement and the type of finance used.

When will Close Brothers start paying compensation?  

There is no firm date for payment. Legal action has derailed the FCA's original schedule so, for most claims, payments in 2026 are no longer expected. At time of writing, a 2027 start to compensation is widely anticipated, dependent on the outcome of the Tribunal process and the FCA's final implementation plans.

Do I need a finance claims expert to make a claim?

No. You are welcome to make a claim directly to Close Brothers if you wish. Some motorists engage a finance claims expert or regulated claims management company to assist in identifying historic agreements, preparing paperwork and handling the claims process, but this is not a requirement.

What Should You Do Next?

If you think you may have been affected by car finance mis-selling, the best place to start is by understanding whether your agreement could be eligible.

Gather any information you still have, check your old finance records if possible, and consider completing a Close Brothers refund checker or car finance refund check to see whether your agreement may qualify for review. Whether you decide to complain directly or use a finance claims expert, starting the process now could save time while the FCA's proposed redress scheme continues to develop.

If you'd like to understand the wider background to the car finance scandal, how PCP finance claims are assessed or what could affect a potential PCP refund, our guide to What Is the Close Brothers Scandal explores these topics in more detail.

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References:

1. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed plans for an industry-wide redress scheme covering eligible motor finance agreements taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024 - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/policy-statements/ps26-3-motor-finance-consumer-redress-scheme
2. parts of the proposed scheme remain subject to legal challenges - https://consumervoice.uk/cars/fca-car-finance-compensation-challenge/
3. Elements of the proposed redress scheme are currently being reviewed by the Upper Tribunal - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/motor-finance-scheme-partially-suspended
4. The FCA estimates that eligible motorists could receive £829 on average - https://www.bbc.com/news/live/czx94evl5lrt