Bumper International has picked up FCA authorisation to offer consumer credit in the UK, unlocking longer-term lending options for car repairs and related services. The approval lets the company expand beyond its existing buy-now, pay-later offering and roll out a new product called PayLonger to help drivers tackle bigger bills over time. Dealers will get more ways to help customers pay, and drivers will gain flexible repayment routes at the point of service. This move aims to blend tech-friendly payments with regulated credit safeguards.
Bumper has built a service that ties vehicle searches, local service partners, and financing into a single flow. Drivers enter a registration and postcode, find nearby garages or dealerships, and can apply for credit right there. The platform is designed to speed decisions so customers get clarity fast and can book repairs with confidence. That immediacy is central to converting enquires into appointments and completed work.
Approved applicants can request a credit limit of up to £5,000 to cover repairs and related motoring costs. Decisions are provided instantly upon application, and approved customers receive a code to present at their chosen service partner. Once the code is used the booking is confirmed and the repayment plan is set up at the time of booking. That means shops get paid and customers walk away with a clear repayment schedule.
Bumper CEO James Jackson said: “Securing FCA authorisation not only reinforces our commitment to responsible lending and consumer protection, but unlocks exciting new opportunities for Bumper – particularly the ability to develop longer-term credit products that offer greater flexibility and affordability for customers facing substantial repair bills.
“This is a milestone moment for Bumper as we look to launch our PayLonger product, continuing to accelerate our growth and empowering our dealership partners to deliver even better support to their customers.”
The PayLonger product is aimed at larger repair bills where a short-term BNPL plan might not be sufficient. By extending terms in a regulated framework, Bumper hopes to offer manageable monthly payments without sacrificing responsible underwriting. Dealers get a tool to reassure customers who might otherwise delay or skip essential repairs. That leads to better safety outcomes and steadier revenue for service providers.
Payment options remain varied to suit different customer preferences and to fit into existing dealer systems. Customers can use Pay in 30 to delay payment by a month, use PayLater to spread costs over monthly instalments, or pay directly from their bank account to reduce transaction fees. Major credit and debit cards are supported alongside Apple Pay and Google Pay, so the checkout feels familiar and frictionless.
Integration has been a priority from the start, with Bumper working to embed payment choices across the servicing journey. The options appear in vehicle health checks, booking pages, dealer management systems, and CRM tools so the finance choice follows the customer from first contact to final invoice. That keeps admin light for workshops and gives sales teams more confidence to propose necessary repairs.
For dealers, the FCA authorisation means they can offer regulated credit without having to build their own compliance infrastructure. Bumper handles the underwriting and regulatory responsibilities while dealers focus on service and customer care. From a customer standpoint, the regulated product should mean clearer terms, fairer treatment, and protections that come with FCA oversight.
There are still practical questions for the market around pricing, credit criteria, and how PayLonger will compare to other finance on dealer forecourts. Adoption will depend on how easily dealerships can slot the product into their workflows and how customers respond to the new term lengths. If Bumper delivers a smooth end-to-end experience, the combination of instant approvals, flexible payment methods, and regulated oversight could change how motorists handle unexpected repair costs.
