Nobody starts a mis-sold car finance claim because they fancy extra admin. They start one because something didn’t feel right — the numbers weren’t clear, the interest rate jumped, the “optional” extras didn’t feel optional, or the deal only made sense after the paperwork landed.

The reality is that timescales vary, and any company that promises a guaranteed finish date is oversimplifying. What Claim First aims to do is keep the process simple, fast, and stress-free — while being honest about the moving parts that affect how long a case can take.

Why claim timescales can vary so much

A mis-sold car finance claim can be straightforward, but it can also become more involved depending on the facts. The biggest factors are:

1) What the claim is about
Some complaints focus on poor disclosure (for example, key costs or commissions not explained clearly). Others focus on affordability, pressure selling, or the way the agreement was presented at the point of sale.

2) How quickly documents and information can be gathered
If paperwork is easy to locate, things tend to move faster. If the agreement is old, has changed hands, or the customer has limited records, it may take longer to rebuild the timeline.

3) Who needs to respond
Sometimes the lender can resolve matters quickly. In other situations, there may be multiple parties involved (for example, broker/dealer and lender).

4) Whether the case needs escalation
If a business rejects a complaint, makes a low offer, or delays, a case may need to be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which adds time.

A realistic step-by-step timeline

Below is a practical guide to what “usually” happens — and how long each stage commonly takes.

Stage 1: Initial eligibility check (often 1–7 days)

This is where the basic facts are reviewed. Claim First typically looks at:

• the type of finance (PCP, HP, hire/lease, etc.)

• the lender and the dealer/broker

• the approximate dates

• what the customer remembers being told (and what wasn’t clear)

This is also where customers usually get reassurance about the process being no win, no fee and what to expect next (see FAQ’s).

Stage 2: Document gathering (often 1–4 weeks)

Many people worry they need a folder of perfect paperwork. In reality, a claim can often start with the basics, and missing items can be requested from the relevant parties.

Typical documents that help speed things up include:

• finance agreement and any pre-contract information

• settlement letter (if the agreement ended)

• bank statements or payment history (if available)

• emails/messages with the dealer or lender

• any add-on paperwork (warranties, GAP insurance, service plans)

Stage 3: Complaint submission and business response (often 4–12+ weeks)

For many financial complaints, businesses often have up to 8 weeks to issue a final response.

However, car finance complaints can be different depending on what the complaint is about. The FCA has had temporary complaint-handling rules affecting certain motor finance commission complaints, and these have changed timelines for some cases.

So, in practice:

• Some cases can resolve within the “normal” complaint window (often around 8 weeks).

• Others may take longer due to wider regulatory handling rules or the complexity of the complaint.

Stage 4: Negotiation and settlement (often 2–8 weeks after a response)

If the business upholds the complaint (or makes an offer), there may be a short period of back-and-forth to confirm figures and next steps. Straightforward cases can settle quickly here. More complex cases (multiple agreements, partial offers, disputed facts) can take longer.

Stage 5: Escalation to the Financial Ombudsman (often 3–12+ months)

If a complaint can’t be resolved directly, the next step can be the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The FOS is clear that waiting times vary, but they note that allocation for investigation is often around 2–3 months, and that investigations and decisions can extend beyond that depending on complexity and whether an ombudsman’s final decision is required.

So if a case goes to the ombudsman, it’s realistic to expect the overall timeline to move from “weeks” into “months”.

Stage 6: Payment and closing the claim (often 2–6 weeks)

Once the outcome is agreed, there’s usually a final stretch where the lender processes payment, confirms adjustments (where relevant), and the case is closed. Claim First’s “we handle the hard work” approach is designed to keep this stage moving without customers having to chase.

What can speed a claim up

While nobody can control every variable, a few practical steps often help:

• Providing the agreement early (or authorising requests for it quickly)

• Sharing key dates: when the car was bought, when the finance started/ended

• Responding promptly if the team asks a follow-up question

• Keeping communication in one place (phone/email consistency helps)

What can slow a claim down

Delays usually come from one of these:

• missing or hard-to-retrieve paperwork

• multiple agreements across different lenders

• disputes over what was said at the point of sale

• wider market/regulatory processes affecting certain complaint types

• escalation to the ombudsman (which is thorough, but takes time)

If you suspect you’ve been affected by unfair or unlawful practices, Claim First is ready to stand up for your rights. From making a car finance pcp claim to working with a trusted payday loan refund company, their specialist team makes the claims process clear and stress-free. Claim First also provides reliable housing disrepair services for tenants living in unsafe or neglected properties, as well as expert scam recovery services to help with lost funds from fraudulent schemes. Take control today — speak to Claim First and start your claim with confidence.