Many car finance “money tips” videos on social media are not impartial advice. They are paid adverts from claims firms or law firms, and in June 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority warned that some of them are misleading.

You can complain about car finance for free. You do not have to use a claims management company or a law firm. That should be the first thing you check when a clip tells you that you may be owed money. If the post hides the fact that you can claim yourself, treat it with caution.

Here is how it often plays out. You are scrolling in the evening, a confident voice tells you that you could be owed compensation on an old car finance deal, and a tap takes you to a form asking you to sign up. It feels like a useful tip from someone in the know. Often, it is a marketing funnel.

The FCA has already taken action in this area. In April 2026, it banned adverts from Conclusive Financial Ltd, which also traded as PCP Refunds, after they used edited, unauthorised clips of Martin Lewis and the FCA logo without permission. The adverts also made claims about average motor finance compensation without properly explaining the basis for the figure. Knowing the real car finance complaint process helps you see through that kind of promotion.

What to check before you tap “sign up”

Start with the basics. Is the video clearly labelled as an advert? If it looks like personal advice but is actually promoting a business, that is a warning sign.

Be careful with celebrity clips, logos or news-style graphics. A familiar face or trusted brand does not mean the claims firm is endorsed. Misusing well-known names to imply approval is exactly the kind of behaviour the FCA has warned about.

Check whether the advert admits that you can complain for free. Honest firms should tell you this upfront. The FCA says consumers do not need to use a claims management company or law firm, and people who do may pay a fee of up to 36% including VAT from any compensation.

Also check whether the firm is authorised. You can search the FCA’s Financial Services Register before handing over details. If the firm is hard to identify, uses several trading names, promises a guaranteed payout or pressures you to sign quickly, slow down.

The scale of the problem is real. The FCA has said its monitoring led to more than 800 misleading adverts from FCA-regulated claims management companies being removed or amended since January 2024. Understanding whether your car finance commission was hidden is far more useful than trusting a 30-second clip.

The free route, explained

You can complain directly to your lender at no cost. The FCA’s car finance scheme may apply if you used finance to buy a car, motorbike, van or campervan between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024, and you were not properly told about certain commission arrangements between the lender and broker.

The FCA estimates that around 37% of agreements made during the relevant period are eligible for compensation, which is about 12.1 million agreements. However, the scheme has been legally challenged, so payout timings are uncertain. The FCA has removed previous dates from its guidance until the timeline is confirmed.

That means the safest practical step is still to complain to your lender if you have concerns. If you complain before the scheme starts, your case should be assessed sooner once the scheme is operating. It helps to know which documents you will need and the time limits for car finance complaints before you start. You can also read the regulator’s own guidance on misleading money tips adverts.

If you choose help, choose carefully

You may decide you would rather have someone handle the complaint. That can be a reasonable choice, but only if it is informed. Before signing anything, read the fee terms, cancellation terms and authority you are giving. Avoid signing up with more than one firm, as that can create confusion, delay and extra costs.

If you want representation, look at how to choose a solicitor for a mis-selling claim and understand what car finance claim services actually do. You can also check ScamSmart on the FCA website before trusting a promotion.

Claim First explains that you can complain for free, so any decision to use support for mis-sold car finance compensation should be your choice, not the result of a misleading advert. We also help with scam recovery support, claiming a payday loan refund and housing disrepair claims.

Frequently asked questions

Are car finance claims adverts on social media genuine?

Some may be genuine, but many are paid promotions. Check whether the post discloses that it is an advert and whether the firm is authorised.

Do I have to pay to claim car finance compensation?

No. You can complain to your lender for free. If you use a claims firm or law firm, fees may apply.

How do I know if I was mis-sold car finance?

A common issue is undisclosed commission between the lender and broker. Your agreement, lender records and complaint response will matter.

Can I claim car finance compensation myself?

Yes. You can complain directly to your lender without paying a third party.

Check before you commit

If a “money tip” has made you wonder about your own car finance, take a breath and check the facts first. When you are ready, you can start a mis-sold car finance enquiry with Claim First on a clear, no win, no fee basis, knowing exactly what you are agreeing to.