First Response Finance Ltd has operated as a UK vehicle finance lender since 1998, giving drivers more than 25 years of experience in the market. The company focuses on hire purchase (HP), a straightforward way to finance a used car through fixed monthly repayments. And because HP ends with full ownership once all payments are made, customers know their repayments build toward owning the vehicle outright.
The lender is also recognised for supporting people with poor and bad credit by offering sub-prime vehicle finance. Instead of focusing only on past credit issues, they assess each application through an affordability assessment that looks at income, credit status and repayment capacity. This gives many customers a fairer opportunity to access finance, especially if they have previously struggled elsewhere.
Customers manage their applications and existing agreements through a simple customer portal, which keeps key information, documents and updates in one place.
Why Carplus partners with First Response Finance
Carplus partners with First Response Finance because they take an approach that genuinely works for real people. They focus on affordability and make decisions based on what a customer can realistically manage, rather than relying only on past credit issues. And for many drivers with bad credit or a patchy history, that kind of assessment feels far more supportive than the rigid criteria used by some high-street lenders.
They also collaborate with a network of approved motor dealers who must pass specific checks before working with them. This means customers deal with legitimate, established dealers, which takes a lot of the stress out of choosing a used car. And because these dealers use a dedicated dealer portal, everything moves quicker and with fewer mix-ups between the dealer and the lender.
For our clients at Carplus, this combination makes a real difference. Customers get access to hire purchase (HP) options that feel achievable, understandable and aligned with their long-term plans. And because HP ends with full ownership, people know exactly what they’re working towards from day one.
Regulation and responsibility
First Response Finance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). As an FCA-regulated lender, its hire purchase agreements must follow rules designed to protect consumers, including clear communication, fair treatment and responsible lending practices.
The company holds the required Consumer Credit Activities permission, allowing it to enter into and manage regulated HP agreements. This includes carrying out appropriate checks on affordability, income and credit status before approving an application.
If a customer raises a complaint, it follows a defined process. And if the issue is not resolved, the customer can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for an independent review. This gives borrowers a strong level of protection and reassurance.
What First Response Finance offers for our clients
First Response Finance gives our clients a simple and steady way to finance a used car through hire purchase (HP). Their HP options cover cars, vans, motorbikes and even electric vehicles, so most people can find something that genuinely suits their day-to-day life. And because HP comes with fixed monthly repayments, budgeting becomes much easier for anyone who wants predictable costs.
If a customer wants to settle the agreement early, they can. And regulated HP agreements clearly show the total amount payable, which helps people see the full cost upfront—especially helpful for those rebuilding their credit or keeping a close eye on their monthly spending.
To make planning easier, the lender provides a car finance calculator. It gives a quick idea of what repayments might look like, so customers walk into the process with a clearer sense of what fits their budget. This often reduces surprises during the affordability assessment, where income, credit status and overall repayment capacity are checked.
Behind the scenes, things run smoothly because everyone is connected. Carplus advisers work directly with the lender during applications, which helps keep things moving. At the same time, motor dealers use a dedicated dealer portal to send vehicle details, upload documents and track updates.
So the customer, the dealer and the lender stay aligned from start to finish. And that three-way connection often turns what could feel complicated into a clear, coordinated finance journey that supports real-life needs without unnecessary delays.
Why First Response Finance stands out for Carplus clients
First Response Finance stands out for our clients because they take a practical, grounded approach to car finance. They look at each application as a whole and make decisions based on real affordability, including income, credit status and repayment capacity. This matters for customers with challenging credit histories, because it means they’re assessed on what they can manage now—not only on what went wrong before.
Their digital tools also help things move smoothly. The customer portal makes it easy for applicants to keep track of their finance journey, while the dealer portal gives motor dealers fast ways to upload documents and manage vehicle information. These systems help reduce delays and keep everyone—customer, lender and dealer—on the same page.
And because First Response Finance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), customers benefit from clear rules around fairness, transparency and responsible lending. Their long history in the UK market adds another layer of confidence for our clients.
For many Carplus clients, that combination creates a straightforward and reassuring path toward eventual vehicle ownership.
