Martin Lewis has issued advice to anyone who bought or leased a car or van from 2006 to 2015, saying you could be due a share of £55.87 million. As cars, vans and other vehicles manufactured abroad are usually brought to the UK via large container ships, a small part of a customer's payment usually goes towards these transportation costs.
However, a legal claim alleged that customers were indirectly charged too much in shipping costs, meaning 25 million customers could be due compensation.
Is your vehicle eligible?
A statement on Money Saving Expert's website confirms a number of vehicles across the UK may be eligible for a share depending on the date it was purchased or if the vehicle was manufactured by a specific brand.
They said: "1. Were based in the UK and bought or leased a NEW car or van between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015 - even if you've since sold or returned the vehicle. This includes those who've used the Motability Scheme."You could get even more compensation if you bought or leased a subsequent new vehicle between 7 September 2015 and 31 December 2019. However, if you only bought or leased a vehicle between these dates, you won't qualify."2. The vehicle was manufactured by an affected brand - it doesn't matter where your vehicle was made or shipped from."
How much am I owed?
As so many people are eligible, payouts start at £25 for the first vehicle. However, payments may increase if fewer people than expected make a valid claim. This would be determined at a later hearing, with a proportion of any unclaimed funds potentially also being paid out to the Access to Justice Foundation.
- £25 for the first vehicle
- £5 for each of the next two to six
- £2.50 thereafter
How do I make a claim?
While you can't apply for compensation yet, you can register your interest now via cardeliverycharges.com/register. By doing this, you will be contacted when applications open. The claims process takes about 10 minutes and will be open for a six-month period, with compensation available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is there a risk to joining the claim?
A statement on Money Saving Expert reads: "Because the group claim is on an opt-out basis, it means you're automatically eligible to claim compensation if you match all of the criteria and you haven't already opted out - the deadline by which to do so has already passed."So you're unlikely to be able to bring your own separate claim. Campaigner Mark McLaren - who sits on the Consumer Panel of the Legal Services Board and is a director of the Property Ombudsman - brought this class claim and is therefore liable for all costs, along with a third-party funder."
