Startline · Kia

Kia finance with Startline

Check whether your Kia agreement arranged through Startline between 2007 and 2024 is eligible under the FCA's Consumer Redress Scheme.

Check your eligibility

Takes under 60 seconds. No documents needed. No win, no fee*.

About Startline

Current scheme status

Within scope of FCA scheme; accepting complaints.

Kia and motor finance

Kia grew significantly in the UK throughout the scheme period, evolving from a value brand into a competitive mainstream and near-premium player; consistent finance volumes across a broad model range.

PCP became the dominant purchase route for Kia from around 2014 onwards. Kia Finance operates through franchised dealers as a separate entity from Hyundai Finance.

Kia's evolution from budget brand to competitive mainstream player drove growing finance volumes throughout the scheme period. PCP became the dominant purchase route from around 2016 as average vehicle prices increased, with agreement values ranging from approximately £8,000 on a Picanto to £29,000 on a Sorento. Kia's market growth during the DCA era, particularly the Sportage, generated one of the higher volumes of potentially affected agreements among brands of its size.

Common Kia models in scope

Kia Sportage
Kia's bestselling UK model for most of the scheme period; one of the most consistently high-volume PCP models in the mainstream SUV segment from the third generation onwards.
Kia Ceed
Kia's family hatchback (sold as the Cee'd from 2007 to 2018, then rebranded); consistently strong UK volumes on PCP and HP throughout the scheme period.
Kia Picanto
Kia's city car; sold on PCP and HP throughout the scheme period, one of the brand's most accessible entry-level models.
Kia Rio
Kia's supermini; sold consistently on PCP and HP throughout the scheme period across multiple generations.
Kia Sorento
Kia's large family SUV; above-average agreement values in eligible cases given the higher vehicle price, predominantly sold on PCP from the third generation.
Kia Niro
Kia's hybrid and EV crossover launched in 2016; growing PCP volumes through to the scheme end date, particularly popular in hybrid form.
Kia Stinger
Kia's performance saloon sold in the UK from 2018; sold predominantly on PCP with above-average agreement values relative to the brand's mainstream models.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible to claim against Startline if all of the following apply:

You took out a PCP or HP motor finance agreement between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
The finance was arranged through a UK dealer or broker, on a regulated agreement.
The agreement was for a car, van or motorcycle for personal use.
You can identify yourself, we can trace the agreement details on your behalf.

What makes an agreement eligible?

A Discretionary Commission Arrangement (DCA) was in place and was not properly disclosed to you. Under a DCA, the dealer could increase your interest rate to earn a larger commission from the lender without telling you.
The commission paid to the dealer was unusually high — amounting to at least 39% of the total cost of credit and 10% of the loan — and was not properly disclosed.
There was a contractual tie giving the lender exclusivity over your finance, which was not made apparent to you.

What you could receive

The FCA has confirmed the average payout under the scheme is £829 per agreement. Individual outcomes vary depending on the size of your agreement, the commission charged, and how long the finance ran. If you financed more than one vehicle through Startline, each agreement can be assessed.

How it works

1
Tell us your basics
Enter your name and a few details. We do not need finance documents to start, our team will trace historic agreements on your behalf.
2
We assess your agreements
We check what we find against the FCA scheme criteria and tell you which agreements are likely in scope, including any you may have forgotten.
3
We pursue the right route
Where the scheme offers the best outcome, we run it for you. Where independent litigation could produce a better result, we say so honestly and explain why.

Ready to check your Kia agreement with Startline?

Start your eligibility check

Takes under 60 seconds. No documents needed. No win, no fee*.

Frequently asked questions

Did Startline use Discretionary Commission Arrangements on Kia finance?

Like most motor finance lenders operating before the FCA ban in January 2021, Startline Motor Finance operated commission arrangements with dealers. As a specialist near-prime lender, Startline's commission structures may have had a significant impact on the interest rates charged. If your Kia finance agreement was arranged through Startline between 2007 and 2024, it may fall within the FCA's scheme.

Which Kia models are covered?

Any Kia agreement financed through Startline between 2007 and 2024 may be in scope, including models such as Sportage, Ceed, Picanto, Rio, Sorento, Niro and Stinger. Eligibility depends on the specific agreement, not the model.

Can I do this myself?

Yes. You can contact your lender directly to make a complaint, or refer your claim to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) yourself for free. The FCA's Consumer Redress Scheme is also designed to be accessible without legal representation.

Will making a claim affect my credit score?

No. Making a claim will not affect your credit score. This is a separate process from your credit history.

Do I need to find old paperwork?

No documents are required to get started. We can trace your finance agreements using basic personal details.

What if my lender has been taken over or has exited the market?

This is common for agreements going back to 2007. If the original lender has been acquired, merged, rebranded, or has exited the market, the successor firm typically inherits liability for historic agreements. We handle this on your behalf.

Related information

Financed a car between 2007 and 2024?

Check your eligibility for the FCA's mandatory motor finance redress scheme. Takes under a minute. No documents needed.