Blow to consumers as supreme court hands partial win to car finance firms over loans

The door is still open to a more limited compensation scheme being considered by the FCA. Photograph: Peter Cade/Getty Images

Millions of drivers will miss out on compensation after the supreme court spared lenders a potential £44bn bill for hidden commission payments in car finance contracts.

In a blow to consumers, the UK’s highest court sided with finance companies in a challenge to last October’s shock ruling by the appeal court that found commission payments paid by buyers to car dealers were unlawful.