Millions May Receive Compensation for Overcharged Vehicle Shipping Costs

Martin Lewis has warned that drivers who bought or leased a new car or van in the UK between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015 may be entitled to a portion of a £55.87 million settlement over alleged excessive shipping charges. The class action targets roughly 25 million consumers who allegedly paid too much for container-ship transport of foreign-built vehicles. To qualify, the vehicle must be from an affected manufacturer and the purchase or lease must fall within the date window, even if the vehicle has since been sold or used under the Motoring Scheme.

Compensation starts at £25 for the first vehicle, £5 for the next two to six, and £2.50 for any further claims, with the fund possibly growing if claim numbers are lower than expected. Claimants can now register their interest at a dedicated website, after which a ten-minute application will be accepted during a six-month claim period on a first-come, first-served basis. The opt-out nature of the group claim means most eligible consumers are automatically included unless they previously opted out.