To sell cars on finance, a UK dealer usually needs FCA authorisation for credit broking, or to work as an appointed representative of a firm that has it. If your dealership doesn't hold its own FCA permissions, you can apply to join an FCA-authorised broker's introducer scheme. The broker handles the finance. Motorsales.ai provides the technology that connects your customers to them.
Motorsales.ai is a technology company working with reputable, regulated brokers to provide technology for their dealers. We are not a lender or a broker, we are not authorised by the FCA, and we do not give regulated advice.
Getting FCA authorised
Your dealership applies to the FCA for its own consumer credit permissions, usually credit broking. You are supervised directly, pay FCA fees and take on the compliance work yourself. This is what most people mean by an FCA licence.
An FCA appointed representative works under an authorised firm, the principal, which takes responsibility for its regulated activity. The principal sets what you can do and notifies the FCA.
An introducer appointed representative only introduces customers to the principal. It does not advise or arrange the finance. This is the scheme you can apply to through this page.
Read the FCA's authorisation guidance and appointed representatives guidance before choosing.
Three steps
Tell us about your dealership on our application page.
If they appoint you, they explain the rules of their scheme and what you can and can't do.
The broker deals with them directly. The lender makes the credit decision.
Direct vs IAR
Most dealers with Direct Authorisation pay £2,300–£4,500 annually in FCA fees and compliance costs. With our partner brokers, you earn great Introduction Fees.
Limited Permission • Annual Regulatory Burden
Full FCA Authorisation
Fit
You want to offer your customers finance, but your firm isn't authorised for credit broking. You can apply to work under a regulated broker's introducer scheme instead.
This route isn't for you. Lending Hub connects dealers with their own permissions to lenders and brokers directly.
Where Motorsales.ai fits
Motorsales.ai is a technology company working with reputable, regulated brokers to provide technology for their dealers.
Each car gets its own QR code. Customers scan it on their phone to reach your broker's finance application.
See updates on your customers' applications in the Partner Portal as your broker works on them.
Training for you and your team on how the scheme works and what an introducer can and can't do.
After you apply, we aim to contact you within 24 hours.
Questions dealers ask
If you arrange or introduce regulated credit as part of your business, the FCA says you generally need credit-broking permission, or you can act as an appointed representative of a firm that has it. Check the FCA's guidance for motor dealers.
You apply to the FCA through its online system for the consumer credit permissions you need, usually credit broking. The FCA assesses your firm, people and systems before deciding. Its authorisation pages explain the process.
The FCA charges an application fee and yearly fees that depend on the permissions you hold. It publishes current amounts on its fees pages. Working as an introducer under a broker's scheme means you do not apply for your own permissions.
Consumer credit licences were issued by the Office of Fair Trading until April 2014, when the FCA took over consumer credit regulation. Today a dealer needs FCA authorisation, or appointed representative status, instead.
An IAR is a business appointed by an FCA-authorised firm (the principal) to introduce customers to that firm. The principal takes responsibility for it and notifies the FCA.
Introduce customers and pass on the broker's approved materials. It does not give advice or arrange the finance; the regulated broker does that.
No. Motorsales.ai is a technology company working with reputable, regulated brokers to provide technology for their dealers. We do not lend, broke credit or give regulated advice.
The regulated broker you are appointed by. The lender makes the credit decision.
With your own permission, your firm is authorised and supervised directly and pays FCA fees. As an introducer, you work under a broker's scheme, within limits it sets. The FCA publishes its application fees on its website.
Search the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk.
A partner broker reviews your application and decides whether to appoint you. Appointment is not guaranteed.
Apply
The application takes a few minutes. A partner broker will review your details and decide whether to appoint you.
Not sure yet?
Questions about how it works? Book a short call with our team. If you already hold your own FCA permissions, Lending Hub is the right place to start.
Motorsales.ai is a trading style of Auto Finance Technology Ltd (Co. 15121835). We provide technology only. We are not a lender or credit broker and are not authorised by the FCA. Appointment as an introducer is at the sole discretion of the partner broker. Finance is subject to status and is provided by lenders via the broker.
