If you’re a motor finance broker, consumer credit firm, or dealership offering finance, your biggest question may be:

“How long will FCA authorisation take?”

The Typical FCA Authorisation Timeline consists of:

• Preparation stage: 5-8 weeks
  As long as you quickly and efficiently give in all the documents we ask for it will take 5-8 weeks for your application to be submitted.
• FCA review stage:
  • If your application is complete, the FCA has up to 6 months to decide.
  • If your application is incomplete, they have up to 12 months.

In practice, most firms we work with can expect the whole journey to take around 6–9 months from start to finish. But we have had customers who became authorised in as little as 3 months.

Common reasons for Delays

1. Incomplete applications: Missing policies or documents, or false information given in.
2. Business model complexity: Any higher-risk models attract deeper FCA scrutiny.
3. Poor evidence of compliance culture: If the FCA can’t see how you’ll protect customers, delays are inevitable. Not being able to explain future compliance

How to Avoid Delays

• Hit deadlines: Submit documents promptly when requested. The faster we receive what we need, the lower the risk of delays.
• Organisation: Ensure documents fully reflect your business guidelines.
• Be ready for follow-up questions: Respond quickly and clearly to any emails from us or the FCA.

Why Speed Matters

For motor dealers, brokers, and credit firms, every delay in FCA authorisation can mean:

• Lost finance opportunities
• Missed partnerships with lenders and funders
• Slower growth and reduced competitiveness

That’s why preparation is everything.

At The Compliance Guys, we are proud to have a higher success rate than the FCA average in approved applications. And we believe FCA authorisation isn’t just about getting approval it’s about showing funders, partners, and customers that your business is built on trust and compliance.

With the right guidance, you’ll not only be authorised you’ll be ready to grow.