Anyone who bought or leased a new car or van between 2006 and 2015 could be eligible for a share of a £55.87 million compensation payout, according to Martin Lewis. The claim relates to vehicles manufactured overseas and shipped to Britain, where a portion of the customer's payment typically covered shipping expenses.
Legal claim alleges overcharging
A legal claim has alleged that customers were indirectly overcharged for shipping costs, potentially making 25 million customers eligible for compensation. Money Saving Expert's website states that a number of vehicles across the UK may qualify depending on the purchase date and the brand of the vehicle.
The eligibility criteria include being based in the UK and buying or leasing a new car or van between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015, even if the vehicle has since been sold or returned. This also includes those who used the Motability Scheme.
Additional compensation for later purchases
Customers could get even more compensation if they bought or leased a subsequent new vehicle between 7 September 2015 and 31 December 2019. However, those who only bought or leased a vehicle between these dates will not qualify. The vehicle must have been manufactured by an affected brand, regardless of where it was made or shipped from.
Because so many people are eligible, payouts start at £25 for the first vehicle. 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 being paid to the Access to Justice Foundation.
How to register interest
While compensation applications are not yet open, drivers can register their interest via cardeliverycharges.com/register and 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.
Money Saving Expert notes that because the group claim is on an opt-out basis, those who match all criteria are automatically eligible for compensation unless they have already opted out, and the deadline to do so has passed. This means individuals are unlikely to be able to bring their 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 the class claim and is liable for all costs along with a third-party funder.
