Luxury and specialist car suppliers are likely to feel the most nervous about the updated Consumer Credit Act.

These vehicles often experience heavy depreciation, especially with rising fuel and road tax, and represent a big initial purchase.

This extra risk will begin to carry a cost for lenders, and it is likely they will look to cover this either with higher rates or by placing costs, such as document fees, elsewhere.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, recently raised the price of its acceptance fee by £30, from £150 to £180.

The option-to-purchase fee, meanwhile, rose from £75 to £95 from April 1.

The company cited extra costs from the Consumer Credit Act, as well as new legislation and fraud as drivers for the increase.

Peter Cottle, Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance head of strategic accounts, says: “From a risk perspective, the higher-quality car arena is good and we want to keep supporting it.”