Sam Ward on BBC Radio 5 Live – Car Finance Scandal, Supreme Court Ruling & FCA Redress Scheme

In this BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast interview, Sam Ward, Director and Chief Investigator at Sentinel Legal, responds to the Supreme Court ruling in Johnson v FirstRand and the growing calls for an FCA industry-wide car finance redress scheme.

Speaking after comments from Martin Lewis, Sam explains why the situation is far from “cut and dry,” how hidden commission arrangements between car dealerships and lenders have been found to create unfair relationships under the Consumer Credit Act, and why millions of PCP and HP customers may still have strong claims despite the Supreme Court outcome.

In this episode:

• The real implications of the Supreme Court ruling for PCP and HP car finance customers

• Why non-disclosure of commission could mean your agreement was unfair

• How lenders are already misleading customers about their rights

• Why the Statute of Limitations doesn’t block most of these claims

• The FCA’s potential automatic redress scheme and the need for independent oversight

With over 100 successful unfair relationship cases already won in court, Sentinel Legal continues to lead the fight for drivers across the UK.

The Truth Behind the Car Finance Scandal , Supreme Court WIN for Drivers | Sentinel Legal x HD Law

Watch the full breakdown of the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Johnson v FirstRand, a case that’s been wrongly spun as a win for the banks. Here’s what really happened.

Join Sam Ward, Director of Sentinel Legal, and Kevin Durkin, lead solicitor for Mr Johnson from HD Law, as they expose the truth behind the car finance mis-selling scandal, the Supreme Court ruling, and the FCA’s proposed redress consultation.

What’s covered:

- Why the Johnson case is a win for UK consumers- The real difference between Johnson vs Hopcraft and Wrench

- How the FCA and media spun the narrative

- Why this judgment cements unfair relationship claims as the strongest legal routeThis scandal affects millions of UK drivers.

The Court’s decision gives a clear legal pathway to redress.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Why the Johnson case matters

01:25 – What really happened at the Supreme Court

05:26 – Media bias, government pressure & Friday’s judgment timing

10:22 – Unfair relationships vs fiduciary claims: What Johnson actually won

13:47 – Supreme Court tactics: Bundling Hopcraft, Wrench & Johnson

21:14 – The media spin: Why the press got it wrong

26:30 – Could Johnson have done this without a solicitor?

29:12 – Clear separation: Johnson vs Hopcraft and Wrench

33:15 – What if Johnson stood alone? How the banks changed tactics

35:37 – What this means for UK drivers: Your rights after Johnson

41:45 – Exposing the FCA’s role & redress delay

50:27 – Why consumers need law firms like Sentinel & HD Law

56:03 – FCA redress scheme: Too slow, too soft, too late?

1:02:39 – Will the redress scheme be lender-led?

1:09:19 – Final message to the FCA: Follow Johnson. Don’t water it down.

1:10:41 – Kevin’s closing message: We fought. We won. Now we get to work.This is the definitive podcast on the Johnson v FirstRand ruling. From the people who were inside the courtroom.

🔔 Follow for more updates on unfair relationships, consumer rights, and motor finance mis-selling updates.

BBC Radio 5 live speaks to Sam Ward director of Sentinel legal on the landmark Supreme Court decision on car finance mis-selling. A huge win for U.K. drivers.