UK car buyers can claim share of £56m delivery charge compensation

Motorists and businesses that bought or leased new cars and vans between October 2006 and September 2015 can now claim a share of a £55.87m compensation package. The scheme follows a court‑approved payout linked to a shipping cartel that inflated delivery charges, a matter of relevance for dealers advising customers.

Key takeaways

• CAT approved a £55.87m payout for overcharged delivery costs.
• Scheme covers vehicles from 37 manufacturers bought or leased 2006‑2015.
• Minimum payment starts at £25 for the first eligible vehicle.
• Businesses and public‑sector fleets are also eligible.
• Payments expected to begin later in 2026.

Background to the cartel

The European Commission found that five shipping firms operated a price‑fixing cartel for transporting new vehicles. The cartel raised delivery costs for millions of UK buyers, prompting a €395m (£340m) fine in 2018.

The overcharging affected an estimated 17.8 million vehicles, roughly 80 % of new cars sold in the UK that arrived from overseas.

Details of the compensation scheme

The Competition Appeal Tribunal gave the green light for the £55.87m fund to be distributed to eligible claimants. Payments will be made through direct bank transfers, Nectar points or charitable donations, according to claimants’ preferences.

Individual payouts start at £25 for the first eligible vehicle, with an additional £5 for each of the second to sixth vehicles. Claimants with more than six vehicles receive at least £2.50 for every extra vehicle.

Eligibility and claim process

Anyone who purchased or leased a new car or van from the listed manufacturers – including Ford, Vauxhall, BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, Toyota and others – during the specified period can register. The scheme also covers businesses such as car rentals, delivery firms, construction, maintenance and fleet operators, as well as public‑sector organisations.

Former Which? consumer expert Mark McLaren, who led the UK collective action, urges eligible parties to register promptly. Registration opens now, with first payments expected later in the year.

What this means for dealers

Dealers should inform recent and prospective customers about the compensation opportunity, as it may influence purchasing decisions and after‑sales relationships. Providing guidance on claim registration can enhance customer confidence and reinforce a dealer’s reputation for transparency.

Additionally, dealers handling fleet sales should alert business clients to the scheme, potentially opening doors for future fleet contracts and service agreements.

Frequently asked questions

Who can claim the compensation?

Any individual, business or public‑sector body that bought or leased a new car or van from the 37 listed manufacturers between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015 is eligible, including fleet operators and companies that purchased vehicles for internal use.

How are payments made to claimants?

Claimants may choose between a direct bank transfer, Nectar loyalty points or a charitable donation. The method is selected during the online claim process, and payments are expected to start later in 2026 once the distribution system is operational.