Guides › Car Finance Complaints › How Do I Find My Old Car Finance Lender?
How Do I Find My Old Car Finance Lender?
To find an old car finance lender, check old bank statements, contact the dealer, or check your credit file. The FCA publishes a list of lenders with contact details and template letters. You do not need a claims company, which may keep up to 30% of any compensation.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Short Answer
Finding Your Lender
To find your lender, check old bank statements, contact the dealer, or check your credit file. The FCA says Equifax's Car Finance Checker app includes most records back to 2007, and you can check your credit file free through Experian and TransUnion. Citizens Advice says MoneyHelper also offers a free check. source
Lender List and Templates
The FCA's list of lenders includes contact details, template letters and complaint forms. If the person who took out the finance has died, say you are claiming for someone else and include their name, address, date of birth and finance details. The lender may ask for a will or grant of probate. source
You Do Not Need a Claims Firm
You do not need a claims management company or law firm. Their fees can reduce what you receive, and the FCA has set up a taskforce targeting poor handling of claims by some of them. The FCA will never ask for your bank details, PIN or passwords. source
Claims Company Fees
A claims management company may keep up to 30% of any compensation, according to Citizens Advice. You do not need one to complain to your lender. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 31 Aug 2027Complain if your lender has not contacted youUntil 31 August 2027
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Search old bank statements for regular finance payments.
Step 2 of 4
Ask the dealer who arranged the finance.
Step 3 of 4
Check your credit file.
Step 4 of 4
Use the FCA's lender list and template letter.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Lender's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing, even if you have not complained before.
Financial Ombudsman Service
If you think your lender did not follow the scheme rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- fca.org.uk/consumers/car-finance-complaints Checked 12 October 2026
- consumercouncil.org.uk/motorfinanceredressscheme Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/debt-and-money/car-finance-claims-what-to-do-if-you-bought-a-car-on-finance Checked 12 October 2026
- fca.org.uk/news/statements/fca-confirms-motor-finance-redress-scheme Checked 12 October 2026