Martin Lewis says drivers who bought or leased new vehicles 2006-2015 may claim from £55.87m

Martin Lewis has advised people who bought or leased a car or van in 2006-2015 that they could be due a share of a £55.87 million compensation pot. 1 2 The claim alleges customers were indirectly overcharged for the cost of shipping imported vehicles to the UK, and potentially 25 million customers could be eligible. 1 2 Money Saving Expert's criteria say claimants must have been UK-based and bought or leased a new vehicle between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015, including through the Motability Scheme, even if they have since sold or returned it. 1 2

The vehicle must also have been made by an affected brand, wherever it was made or shipped from, and a later new vehicle bought between 7 September 2015 and 31 December 2019 could increase the payout. 1 2 Payouts start at £25 for the first vehicle, then £5 for each of the next two to six and £2.50 after that, and could rise if fewer people than expected make valid claims, to be decided at a later hearing. 1 2 Applications are not open yet, but people can register their interest at cardeliverycharges.com/register; the process takes about 10 minutes, runs for six months and pays first-come, first-served. 1 2

Because the claim is opt-out and the opt-out deadline has passed, eligible people are automatically included and are unlikely to be able to bring a separate claim. 1 2 Campaigner Mark McLaren brought the claim and is liable for all costs along with a third-party funder. 1