Thomas Riley, who has a background in digital marketing and growing small businesses online, has turned his attention to the car finance industry. His newly launched website aims to help everyday people claim back money they may have unknowingly lost through mis-sold car loans.
The site, Car Finance Claims UK, allows users to check if they’re eligible for compensation in just minutes. With some industry experts predicting as much as £30 billion could be paid out in the coming years, the scale of the scandal has already drawn comparisons to the PPI crisis.
“I’ve always built businesses online that solve real problems,” said Thomas. “When I saw how many people had been impacted by these hidden commissions, I knew I could use my skills to make the claims process easier and more transparent.”
At the centre of the scandal are discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), where car dealers were incentivised to increase interest rates for their own profit, often without informing the customer. The Financial Conduct Authority banned these practices in 2021, and a landmark ruling in late 2024 paved the way for mass claims.
Major banks and lenders have already begun setting aside hundreds of millions to prepare for potential payouts, and the FCA has received over 10,000 complaints in recent months alone.
With claims websites popping up around the country, Riley says what sets his apart is its simplicity. “There’s no jargon, no hard sell – just a quick check and clear next steps. People in Locon and across the UK deserve to know if they’ve been mis-sold.”
As the number of claims continues to rise, Riley’s platform is one of many that could help shape the next chapter of consumer justice in the UK.