Tips & Tricks

Car Finance Tips

*Collaborative post.

Whether you are looking to buy a new car for the first time or you are looking to get another one to replace your current car, you need to know the following about getting a great car loan.

Black and white image of cars parked on the side of the road for a blog post about car loans.

Having a clean slate

Not all lenders are going to approve your loan if you have a poor credit score. Those who approve your loan are going to charge you a high-interest rate. If you are going to apply for a car loan, try clearing any outstanding bills and have a savings pattern because it is going to help you. Lenders will see you can pay back the loan.

Knowing how much you can afford

Try working out how much you can afford to pay each month, and make sure you have factored in a buffer. A car loan calculator is going to be the best tool.

Limiting your applications

It can be tempting to send out multiple applications for a car loan or credit card because you think you are going to get the best deal, but you need to remember this is going to affect your credit rating – especially if you are turned down. Look for one financing option, such as Auto Loans car financing, and then stick with it.

Comparing

When buying a new car, you will most likely take your time shopping around so you can find the best offer. There are many things to consider, such as the number of seats needed, the boot size, engine size and making sure you get good air filtration with a suitable cabin air filter. This is the same case when it comes to a car loan. You need to shop around for a car loan because you can end up saving up to thousands of dollars. Comparing the different lenders will help you find the best possible deal.

Loans can be secured or unsecured

Have you ever wondered why car loans can be cheaper compared to personal loans? The main reason is car loans are secured to an asset – the car. If you end up defaulting on the loan, the lender is going to have something they can repossess and sell to recover their money. You can get no deposit car finance if you don’t have a down payment.

The rate you see may not be the one you get

Rates change daily, and this is why you might not get the interest rates that were advertised by the lender. Before confirming the loan, make sure you ask the question.

Consolidation can help

If you have many debts, like a car loan or credit card, you can combine them into one loan. This can save you a lot of money and you might have the chance to borrow more and get a lower rate. You will have an easier time understanding and keeping track of your loans. Your focus is going to be on making one payment.

Repaying early can cost you

Some people chose to pay their loans early than agreed, but this might not be the best of ideas. Lenders will hit you with exit penalties if you make early repayment on your car loan. Some lenders are not going to accept any additional payments when making your loan payments. You need to find more about such issues before signing up for the loan.

Organizing your finances first

You might be tempted to get the car and worry about the financing later, but this is not a good idea and can end up causing you a lot of problems later. If the lender doesn’t give you the money you need for the car or if the process drags for long, it could cause you problems. This is why it is important to put your finances in order before you can get started with the process of shopping for a car. Once you have your finances in order, you can go out and shop for your car.

Rachael is a 31 year old mum to 10 year old Luke and 5 year old Oscar. She lives in England and writes about family life, crafts, recipes, parenting wins(and fails), as well as travel, days out, fashion and living the frugal lifestyle.

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