Millions of UK motorists could be entitled to £25 or more from a compensation pot worth almost £56million. Drivers who bought or leased a new car or van between October 18, 2006 and September 6, 2015, could be eligible for a payout following a legal claim over vehicle shipping costs.
What is the compensation for?
A total of £55.87million has been made available, with more than 25 million vehicles potentially eligible. The case centres on cars and vans manufactured abroad that were transported to the UK on large ships.
A legal claim alleged that consumers indirectly paid too much for shipping costs after several shipping companies were found to have operated a cartel. In 2018, the European Commission found five vehicle shipping companies had shared confidential information between 2006 and 2015, while limiting the number of vehicles they shipped.
How much could drivers receive?
A case was later brought to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, arguing that inflated shipping prices were passed on to car manufacturers and then indirectly to customers. The Competition Appeal Tribunal approved the compensation scheme in September 2026.
According to MoneySavingExpert, payouts will start at £25 for the first eligible vehicle. People could then receive £5 for each of their next two to six vehicles and £2.50 for each vehicle after that. Payments could be higher if fewer people than expected submit valid claims.
Who is eligible and how to apply
To qualify, motorists must have been based in the UK and bought or leased a new car or van between October 18, 2006 and September 6, 2015. It does not matter if the vehicle has since been sold or returned, while vehicles obtained through the Motability Scheme can also qualify.
Dozens of manufacturers are included, including BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen. Motorists cannot apply for their compensation just yet, although they can register their interest to be told when applications open.
Once the claims window opens, it will run for six months. However, compensation will be handed out on a first come, first served basis until the available money runs out.
