Owners of Ford, BMW and Volkswagen vehicles are among those who could be owed compensation payouts of “£25 or more”, according to Money Saving Expert. Millions of motorists may be entitled to payouts as part of a group legal action concerning models delivered to the UK, MSE has revealed.
Legal case over shipping costs
The legal claim alleges that consumers were indirectly charged excessive shipping costs, with the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling in favour of the claim. More than 25 million vehicles could be eligible for the payouts, with some of Britain's most popular manufacturers set to be affected. Brands thought to be impacted include Honda, Kia, MG and Peugeot.
Who is eligible
Motorists are believed to be eligible if they purchased or leased a new car or van between October 2006 and September 2015. Drivers could still be entitled to the compensation even if they have since sold or handed back the vehicle. Those who obtained their vehicle through the Motability Scheme are also likely to be able to make a claim.
How to claim
A total of £55.87 million in compensation will be made available, with payouts beginning at £25 for the first affected vehicle, reports the Express. CarDeliveryCharges, the court-approved claims website, announced that the window to apply for compensation will open in November 2026.
Which? consumer spokesperson Mark McLaren urged motorists to register for payouts to ensure they don't miss out. He stated: “Signing up now is the best way to be first in line for compensation. With everything now fully approved, the distribution of settlement monies can be distributed later this year. Those already signed up will be contacted as soon as the distribution is open and will be directed to our online claim form to get back the money you're owed. We've done everything we can to make this process as easy as possible for those affected.”
Businesses also eligible
Businesses are also anticipated to receive compensation, with many firms frequently purchasing vehicles in bulk to stock their fleets. The British Vehicle and Rental Leasing Association (BVRLA) stated: “The claims process is expected to be particularly straightforward for businesses registered on the DVLA Fleet database. When making a claim, these businesses will automatically be presented with the total number of eligible vehicles identified through DVLA data and the associated compensation amount.”
