Car delivery costs

You could be compensated if you bought or leased a car or van between 2006 and 2015

A settlement totalling £93 million has now been approved in the £150 million car delivery charges lawsuit – but compensation is not yet available to claim.

A £150 million lawsuit alleging that five major shipping companies overcharged motorists and businesses for the delivery of new cars and vans has now concluded, with settlements totalling £93 million now approved in principle by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

The claim, brought on behalf of UK motorists, relates to allegations that delivery charges were inflated through coordinated pricing in the global car shipping industry, with those costs passed on to consumers.

A further Tribunal hearing will now decide the detail of how and when eligible people can claim. Compensation is expected to become available from 2026.

Three of the companies agreed to a £39 million settlement ahead of a 10-week trial against the remaining two companies, which began in January 2025. Following the conclusion of that trial, shipping companies MOL and NYK agreed to a further £54 million settlement.

This brings the total value of settlements in the case to £93 million – more than 60% of the original £150 million collective action brought by class representative Mark McLaren – and moves millions of UK motorists a step closer to compensation.

Sign up to stay updated on when compensation may become available for motorists who bought or leased new cars and vans between 2006 and 2015, the period during which millions are said to have paid higher delivery costs due to alleged price coordination – and how to claim when the process launched.

Five major shipping companies in overcharging claim

Five major shipping companies were accused of operating illegally to overcharge UK consumers and businesses for the delivery of new cars and vans. The companies in question are MOL, “K” Line, NYK, WWL/EUKOR and CSAV.

The legal action follows EU fines of €395m levied in 2018 after it was found that these companies were involved in an illegal cartel which increased car and van delivery charges. The companies were found to be conspiring to fix the cost of delivery.  

Are you entitled to money back?

You could be entitled to compensation if you:

• Bought or leased a new car or van between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015

You may be entitled to claim for more if you bought multiple vehicles during this time. The list of vehicle manufacturers included in the claim is large and includes big brands like BMW, Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The car delivery charges claim 

Consumer champion Mark McLaren brought the claim on behalf of millions of motorists and businesses who he said had been ripped off. McLaren accused these five major companies of breaking the law by agreeing what prices to charge and dividing customers between them. 

McLaren worked with law firm Scott+Scott to represent to progress the consumer collective claim seeking compensation for those people who have paid too much. This legal action is funded by Woodsford Litigation Funding, meaning there are no legal fees to pay by those affected.

How to claim compensation

You don’t have to do anything at the moment. You are automatically eligible for compensation if you bought or leased a brand of car or van that is included in the claim between 18 October 2006 and 6 September 2015. More details on how to step forward for your compensation will follow in 2026.

Sign up to Consumer Voice to stay updated and to find out when you can claim.