If you are thinking about a PCP claim or HP claim and cannot find your paperwork, this is very common. Many drivers affected by the car finance scandal are in the same position. This is especially true for agreements taken out between 2007 and 2024.

Car finance paperwork often disappears over time. Dealers close. Email accounts change. Files get lost during house moves. The important thing to know is this. Missing documents do not stop a mis-sold PCP claim or any other car finance claim.

This guide explains how to trace old car finance agreements when paperwork is missing. It also explains why partial records are usually enough to begin car finance claims linked to car finance mis-selling.

Why old PCP and HP paperwork is often missing

PCP and HP agreements last several years. Life changes during that time.

People move house.

Email accounts get closed.

Paperwork gets thrown away.

Old devices are replaced.

Many older agreements were signed in dealerships rather than online. Digital copies were not always sent to customers. Some lenders stored records differently at the time.

Dealer closures add to the problem. Dealerships merge, rebrand, or shut down completely. This does not mean your agreement disappeared. In most cases, the lender still holds the key records.

This is why lost PCP paperwork is one of the most common starting points for a PCP HP claim today.

Missing paperwork does not block a PCP claim

Your eligibility does not depend on how well you kept your documents.

Mis-sold car finance cases focus on how the finance was sold. This includes things like undisclosed commission, unfair interest rates, or sales incentives. These details are not always visible to customers.

Regulators understand that drivers cannot be expected to keep paperwork forever. This is why car finance mis-selling investigations [1] allow claims to start with incomplete information.

Many PCP claims and car finance claims begin this way. It is normal. It is expected.

Where to check first for old car finance records

Start with what you already have.

Check old email accounts. Search for finance confirmations, lender names, or payment emails. Look in archived folders and spam.

Check any paperwork you still have at home. Even a single page can help. A vehicle registration, agreement number, or lender logo is often enough.

Check old computers or cloud storage. Finance documents were sometimes saved automatically.

You do not need the full agreement at this stage. Small pieces of information can still move a car finance claim forward. If you have taken out more than one finance agreement over the years, it can also help to understand how to gather evidence if you’ve had multiple car agreements, especially when paperwork is spread across different lenders.

How to contact the lender directly

The lender matters more than the dealer.

Even if the dealership has closed, the finance provider is still responsible for the agreement. This applies to both PCP and HP contracts.

If you know the lender name, contact them directly. Ask for a copy of your agreement through a subject access request.

You will usually be asked for:

• Your full name.
• Your date of birth.
• Any previous addresses during the agreement period.
• The vehicle registration, if you know it.

Lenders must search their systems. They cannot refuse because the dealer has closed.

This step alone resolves many lost PCP paperwork cases.

How to find the lender if the dealer has closed

If you do not remember the lender, there are still ways to find it.

Your credit file is often the quickest place to look. PCP and HP agreements usually appear on credit reports, even if they are settled.

Check all three UK credit reference agencies. Each one may hold different information.

Bank statements are also useful. Look for monthly payments linked to car finance. Payment descriptions often include the lender name or a reference.

Even one old direct debit entry can point you in the right direction.

Using credit files and bank statements together

Credit files and bank statements work best when used together.

A credit report can confirm the lender name and rough dates. Bank statements can show payment amounts and timing.

This is often enough for the lender to locate the agreement internally. Many PCP claims and car finance claims linked to mis-selling PCP start this way.

You do not need the original contract in your possession.

What information is enough to begin a PCP or HP claim

You do not need a complete paper trail.

In most cases, the following details are enough to begin a PCP claim, PCP HP claim, or wider car finance claim:

• Your full name and date of birth.
• Any addresses used during the agreement period.
• The vehicle registration, if you have it.
• An estimated start year or date range.
• The lender name, if known.

Even if you only have some of this information, a claim can still begin. Lenders can often locate agreements using partial details.

This applies across PCP claims and HP claims linked to car finance mis-selling.

Why many car finance claims start with partial records

Partial records are very common.

The scale of the car finance scandal means millions of agreements are being reviewed. Regulators and lenders expect gaps in paperwork. This wider review is linked to ongoing regulatory work, including what the FCA consultation means for refund timelines and how lenders are expected to handle complaints going forward.

This is why missing documents do not affect eligibility. The focus stays on whether the finance was mis-sold.

Many mis-sold PCP claim cases began with little more than a name and an estimated date.

How PCP claim services can help trace old agreements

Tracing old finance records can feel stressful. PCP claim services can help at this stage.

PCP claim services can help check eligibility using partial information. They can help identify the lender if the dealer closed. They can request historical paperwork on your behalf. They can guide you through next steps without needing full documents upfront.

For many drivers, this removes uncertainty. It also reduces the risk of delays or mistakes.

PCP claim services are commonly used for PCP claims, HP claims, and wider car finance claims linked to mis-sold car finance.

Reassurance for drivers with older PCP or HP agreements

If your dealer has closed and your paperwork is missing, your position is still protected.

Lost PCP paperwork is common.

Dealer closed PCP claim cases are expected.

Partial records are accepted.

The car finance scandal includes historical agreements. Regulators understand how long-term finance works.

Start with what you have. Check credit files. Review bank statements. Contact the lender if possible. Support is available if you need help tracing records. Some drivers also ask whether to wait for the FCA scheme or raise a complaint now, especially if they are unsure how the process will unfold.

Missing paperwork does not close the door on a PCP claim or any other car finance claim. For many drivers, it is simply the first step.

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References:

1. car finance mis-selling investigations - https://www.fca.org.uk/news/statements/motor-finance-compensation-scheme-consultation-progress-and-timing