Close Brothers Motor Finance (CBMF) is one of the UK’s most established car-finance lenders. It was founded in 1988 and has been operating in the UK market for over 35 years. It sits within Close Brothers Group plc — a trusted British banking group that dates back to 1878.
CBMF works directly with dealers and brokers like Carplus to make vehicle ownership simpler. They specialise in financing cars, vans, motorcycles and leisure vehicles — for both new and used models. Whether you’re buying your family’s next car or a first-time ride, they aim to give you a fair and flexible way to get behind the wheel.
They combine decades of experience (thanks to their 35 + years in the UK motor-finance market) with modern technology and human-centred service. That means you can expect decisions that are quicker, clearer and built around your real needs.
Why We Partner with Close Brothers
At Carplus, we only work with lenders who share our values of fairness, flexibility, and customer care. Close Brothers Motor Finance stands out because they treat partnerships seriously — they don’t just offer finance; they build long-term trust.
Their systems make it easy for us to arrange finance quickly. Through their secure digital platform, dealers can submit applications, receive instant decisions, and keep everything transparent. That means less waiting and more driving.
Close Brothers also understands the realities of everyday customers. They assess each application individually rather than relying only on credit scores. This balanced approach allows us to help more people — including those with past credit challenges — find a finance plan that genuinely works for them.
Regulation and Responsibility
Close Brothers Limited, which operates the motor-finance arm, is fully authorised and regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). That means every loan follows strict rules to protect you as a consumer.
They follow the FCA’s Consumer Duty, ensuring that products are fair, terms are clear, and customers are treated with respect throughout the process. For us at Carplus, that’s essential. When we recommend a finance provider, we want you to feel confident that your agreement is properly regulated and responsibly managed.
This framework also means Close Brothers must act transparently — from how they calculate repayments to how they handle commissions. It’s one more reason we trust them with our customers’ finance needs.
What Close Brothers Offers for Our Clients
Close Brothers provides a range of flexible finance options that cover most situations you might face when buying a car.
The most popular are Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Purchase (PCP). With HP, you make fixed monthly repayments, and once the final instalment and a small “option-to-purchase” fee are paid, the car is fully yours. It’s straightforward and gives you full ownership at the end.
With PCP, payments are typically lower because the lender guarantees a minimum future value for the car (called the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value or GMFV). At the end of the term, you can either return the car, part-exchange it, or pay the balloon amount to keep it. This flexibility makes PCP a strong choice for drivers who like to change cars every few years.
For dealerships, Close Brothers also provides forecourt funding, which helps them stock vehicles and keep a wider selection available for customers like you. And for us as brokers, their dealer portal streamlines everything — from applications to approvals — so you can get an answer quickly and drive away sooner.
Why Close Brothers Stands Out for Carplus Clients
There are many lenders in the UK car-finance market, but Close Brothers bring something special to the table. Their entire model revolves around responsible lending, reliable partnerships, and real-world understanding of motorists’ needs.
They know buying a car isn’t just about numbers — it’s about independence, family, and confidence. That’s why their decisions balance technology with human judgment. And because they have one of the strongest dealer networks in the country, our clients benefit from access to well-stocked forecourts and competitive finance plans.
Meanwhile, their experience helps protect both customers and partners from unnecessary risk. For example, they maintain a balanced product mix — with PCP making up only a small share of their loan book — which reduces exposure to resale-value swings. It’s a quiet sign of how carefully they manage their business, and how securely they handle yours.
At Carplus, we value lenders who combine heart with discipline — and Close Brothers Motor Finance do exactly that. Together, we make car ownership achievable, affordable, and straightforward for thousands of UK drivers every year.
