Website Compliance for Motor Dealers key checks
The customer journey
How customers move from enquiry to finance discussion, disclosure, complaint handling and aftersales support.
The compliance records
Where evidence is kept for Consumer Duty, vulnerable customers, website compliance, monitoring and complaints handling.
The routine review
How to turn dealership compliance into monthly checks rather than a rushed exercise when something goes wrong.
Why dealership website wording matters
A website is often the first place customers see finance information.
Wording should be clear, accurate and consistent with the firm’s permissions.
Website wording can become outdated when the dealership changes lender panel, broker arrangements, trading names or FCA permissions.
Motor trade example
A dealership may update its finance page, change broker arrangements and train new sales staff at different times. A short compliance review helps check that the customer journey, website wording and staff process still match.
FCA status disclosure
Dealers should review how their FCA status is described on the website.
The wording should be consistent with the firm’s actual permissions and role.
Finance and credit broking wording
Finance wording should explain the dealer’s role without creating a misleading impression.
If the dealer acts as a credit broker, the website should not imply it is the lender.
Commission disclosure
Commission disclosure should be clear and easy to find where relevant.
It should fit the dealership’s actual finance arrangements.
Financial promotions and misleading claims
Claims about finance should be reviewed carefully so they are not unclear or misleading.
Rates, availability and eligibility wording should be kept current.
Complaints information
Customers should be able to find clear complaints information.
The website should explain how complaints can be raised and handled.
Vulnerable customer information
A website can help explain how customers can ask for additional support.
This should be written in plain English and fit the dealership’s process.
Keeping website wording consistent with FCA permissions
Website reviews should be part of ongoing dealership compliance.
For help, see our website compliance support for motor dealers.
Where a website is being reviewed before an FCA application, it should also be consistent with the planned FCA authorisation support and application documents.
Website review example
Check whether the finance page, footer disclosure, commission wording, complaints page and privacy or contact pages still match the dealership’s current FCA Register details and customer journey.
Motor dealer website compliance mini checklist
FCA status wording
Check the firm name, regulatory status, FCA number and trading names against the FCA Register. Old footer wording can easily be missed after a website redesign.
Finance disclosure
Make sure the website explains the dealership’s role in finance introductions and does not suggest the dealer is the lender if it acts as a broker or introducer.
Commission disclosure
Review whether commission wording is present, understandable and consistent with the dealership’s lender or broker arrangements.
Complaints wording
Check that customers can find how to complain and that the wording matches the firm’s complaints procedure.
Representative finance examples
Where finance examples are shown, check they are current, clear and not likely to mislead customers about availability or cost.
Misleading claims
Avoid broad claims such as guaranteed finance, instant approval or wording that could make eligibility sound certain when it is not.
Outdated lender or broker wording
Remove references to old lenders, brokers or finance routes that no longer reflect the dealership’s current arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do motor dealer websites need FCA wording?
Where a dealer carries out regulated finance activity, the website should describe FCA status and finance arrangements accurately.
What finance wording should dealers check?
Dealers should check wording about their role, finance availability, lenders, brokers, rates and eligibility.
Should commission disclosure appear on a website?
Commission disclosure may be relevant depending on the dealer’s arrangements and customer journey.
Can website wording affect FCA compliance?
Yes. Public wording should be consistent with permissions, disclosures and the customer finance journey.
Can 009 Compliance review a website?
Yes. 009 Compliance can support motor dealers with practical website compliance checks and wording reviews.
Official FCA resources
These official FCA pages may help you check the current position before making decisions or submitting information.
- FCA Register for checking firm status, permissions and appointed representative information.
- FCA Consumer Duty for the FCA’s current Consumer Duty material.
