Timing of the FCA's motor finance announcement
Executive Summary
The FCA is scheduling its announcement on a proposed motor finance redress scheme—addressing historical commission disclosure failures in car loans—for shortly after markets close on Monday, 30 March 2026, following a consultation launched in October 2025. This matters because it signals imminent final rules that could impose up to GBP11 billion in costs on lenders, affecting millions of consumers and requiring urgent operational preparations to ensure timely payouts in 2026. #
What Changed
- Introduction of a 3-month implementation period for most firms, extendable to 5 months for older motor finance agreements, to handle the scheme's scale and complexity. - Streamlined consumer journey: Pre-scheme complainants no longer need to opt out; lenders must notify them of owed compensation within 3 months post-implementation, with immediate acceptance options available. - Removal of mandatory recorded delivery for customer communications, allowing flexible channels with fraud safeguards. - No final decision yet on proceeding, but likely modifications based on over 1,000 consultation responses, including backlash from lenders. #
What You Need To Do
- Review and prepare systems
- Monitor complaints
- Assess provisions
- Compliance checks
- Stakeholder engagement
Key Dates
Compliance Impact
Urgency: High – With the announcement just 6 days away (as of 24 March 2026), firms have minimal time to finalize preparations amid GBP11 billion cost risks, market disruption warnings, and lender pushback; delays could amplify redress delays, fines, or consumer harm claims.
Who is Affected
Summary
We will set out our approach on motor finance redress shortly after markets close on Monday 30 March, having consulted on a compensation scheme in October 2025.