Car Finance Explained: Your Car Finance Options
Taking the mystery out of your car buying journey.
Car Finance Explained: Your Car Finance Options
Taking the mystery out of your car buying journey
Buying a car is an exciting experience. It’s also one of the biggest purchases you’ll make. It’s important to understand all of your options, especially when it comes to the question of how you’ll pay for your car.
If you’re thinking of using finance to buy your next car, you may be feeling confused by all the car finance options available. With so many products on the market, and lots of confusing jargon, taking out a car loan can become a minefield.
Our ‘Car Finance Explained’ guide is designed to take the mystery out of it all so that you can focus on enjoying your car buying journey!
How does financing a car work?
For most people, buying a car outright isn’t possible. For this reason, more and more people are opting to finance the car of their dreams.
Car finance allows you to drive a car without having to pay a lump sum upfront for the car. You make affordable monthly payments directly to the lender. The lender owns the car until you have paid the borrowed amount (plus interest and any charges) in full. Whilst you are paying for the car, you have full use of it – as though it is yours.
The amount you pay each month, the interest rate, the terms of the agreement, and your options at the end of the agreement, will all vary depending on which finance option you go for. Below we go into more detail about your car finance options.
What are my car finance options?
It is important that you understand the difference between your car finance options. Not all options are suitable for everyone, and your circumstances may dictate the best option for you. Below are the most common types of car finance:
How does Hire Purchase work?
Hire Purchase, or HP, is considered the simplest type of car finance – which is why it’s so popular. It allows you to spread the cost of the car, plus interest, across a set period of time.
With Hire Purchase, a deposit is not always necessary. However, it is worth bearing in mind that a deposit will bring down the balance, limiting the amount of interest incurred and reducing the monthly payments. Many people trade in their old car to provide a deposit.
The lender simply takes the price of the car (minus any deposit) and adds interest. The final figure is then divided over the term agreed, usually between two and five years.
The monthly payments never change throughout the agreement, allowing you to budget for your outgoings. There is no large final payment at the end, although there is usually admin and transfer of rights fees to pay. Once you’ve paid the agreement off in full, the car belongs to you.
Hire Purchase pros and cons
Pros:
- Fixed interest rate
- Fixed monthly payments help with budgeting
- No large final payment
- You own the car at the end of the agreement
- Good for people with less than perfect credit score
- No annual mileage conditions
- No fines for excess wear and tear
- Option to pay car off early
- Finance secured against the car, not your home
- You have the right to Voluntary Termination (VT)
Cons:
- You don’t own the car until you’ve paid in full
- More expensive than a bank loan
- Higher monthly payments than a PCP agreement
What is Conditional Sale?
Conditional Sale is similar to Hire Purchase, accept that you pay higher monthly payments and don’t have a fee at the end. As soon as you’ve made the final payment, the vehicle becomes yours.
Conditional Sale pros and cons
Pros:
- Perfect if you’re sure you want to keep the car at the end
- Allows for a longer repayment term (2-6 years)
- Nothing to pay at the end to own the car
Cons:
- You don’t own the car until you’ve paid in full
- You’ll need to pay a deposit, usually 10% of the car’s value
What is Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)?
Personal Contract Purchase has gained popularity because the monthly payments are lower compared to HP, allowing you to buy a newer or higher spec of car. However, this type of agreement is also a little more complicated than Hire Purchase.
With a PCP agreement, your monthly repayments are lower because a significant proportion of the borrowing is deferred to an ‘optional final payment’ at the end of the agreement. This final payment is often called a ‘balloon payment’.
You’ll need to decide how much deposit you want to make. You’ll also need to estimate your expected annual mileage and decide how long you want the agreement to run for – normally between two and four years.
Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) explained
The lender will use this information to calculate the Guaranteed Future Value of the car, or the GFV. The GFV is a forecast of what the car will be worth at the end of the agreement, based on your initial estimate of your annual mileage. This value forms the ‘deferred final payment’ and is guaranteed by the lender.
To work out your monthly payments, your initial deposit and the optional final payment are deducted from the price of the car. The amount left over, plus interest, is then divided over the term and forms the fixed, monthly payments.
You must be realistic about your expected mileage as excess mileage charges are expensive. You’ll also be expected to return the car in good condition. Any damage that is not classed as ‘fair wear and tear’ will also be subject to charges. Your contract will detail the terms and conditions of the agreement and so it is important to read your paperwork thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.
At the end of the agreement, you will have three options.
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You can part-exchange the car for a newer model. If, at the end of the agreement, the car is worth more than the optional final payment, you can use this equity as a deposit towards your next car.
PCP finance pros and cons
Pros:
- Fixed monthly payments that are lower than HP
- Lower deposit than other options
- Flexibility at the end of the agreement
- Option to pay car off early
- You’re not obliged to keep the car at the end
- Guarantee of the future value of the car
- Great for those that like to regularly update their car
- Allows you to buy a newer or higher specification car
- Finance secured against the car, not your home
Cons:
- You don’t own the car until you’ve paid in full
- Can be expensive to own the car at the end of the agreement
- You’ll pay extra if you exceed the contacted annual mileage
- You’ll pay extra if you return the car with excessive damage
- Voluntary Termination (VT) can be harder to execute, if needed.
How do Personal Car Loans work?
With a personal car loan, or unsecured loan, you borrow the full amount and buy your car outright. If you have a good credit profile, you will be able to access the best interest rates, which could be cheaper than other car finance options. Since the car belongs to you from the beginning of the agreement, you can choose to sell the car at any time.
Pros and cons of taking out a personal loan
Pros:
- Simplest option for financing a car
- Best for those with a good credit rating
- Fixed monthly payments allow you to budget
- Flexible and longer loan period options
- Loan not secured against the car
- Can be used for all, or part, of the cost of the car
- Buy from any seller, business or private
- The car belongs to you straight away
Cons:
- You’re unlikely to get accepted with a poor credit history
- Many people can’t get the advertised rates
- Loan amounts are limited, often up to £25,000
What is Guarantor Car Finance?
A guarantor loan for car finance can be an option where you have bad credit. Guarantor car finance involves a third party agreeing to pay your loan if you can’t make the repayments.
A guarantor loan can provide the opportunity not only to drive a car, but also build up your credit profile. However, it is also a big responsibility since your guarantor is liable for your finance if you do not repay it. You can read more about Guarantor Car Finance here.
Guarantor Loan pros and cons
Pros:
- Allows you to drive a car when you have bad credit
- You may be offered a lower rate due to the Guarantor security
- Helps you build your credit file, so long as you keep up repayments
- Fixed monthly payments allow you to budget
- You own the car from the outset
Cons:
- Your Guarantor will be liable if you fail to make repayments
- If your Guarantor fails to make payments, you could both be issued with CCJs, damaging both credit profiles
What is Personal Contract Hire (Leasing)?
Personal Contract Hire or Leasing basically means that you rent the vehicle for a set period of time. Personal Contract Hire is great if you like changing your car often but wish to avoid the associated costs, such as depreciation.
At the start, you will need to decide on your expected annual mileage and lease period. The higher your annual mileage, the higher your monthly payment since the car will be worth less once you hand it back.
You will normally need to pay a deposit upfront, and then monthly payments to lease the car. At the end of the agreement, you will need to hand the car back, and there is no option to buy the car. The car must be returned in an acceptable condition that meets ‘fair wear and tear’ guidelines. Where damage is excessive, charges will apply for the repairs.
Car leasing pros and cons
Pros:
- Allows you to get a brand-new car, more regularly
- You don’t foot the cost of depreciation
- You return the car at the end of the agreement
- Road tax and breakdown cover is usually included
- You’re usually covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Can cost more over the term than any other finance option
- Advertised costs don’t usually include VAT
- Usually only available to those with good and excellent credit
- If you exceed the contracted mileage, you’ll be charged additional
- Excessive damage will be charged back to you
- Early termination of the agreement can incur a large fee
- You don’t own the car at the end
Car Finance Jargon Buster
The car finance industry is full of unusual terminology, which can make applying for car finance even more daunting. Our jargon buster helps shed light on some of the most common car finance terminology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Representative APR 24.6%
How will I know if I can get car finance?
How will I know what car finance rate I can get?
Can I buy any car?
Can I get car finance with poor credit?
What is your best car loan rate?
What does representative APR mean?
How do you give an instant car finance decision?
Can I get pre-approved for car finance?
What if I change my mind about going ahead?
Can I finance a car for someone else?
Can I pay off the car loan early?
What happens with my personal data?
How long does it take to get a decision on car finance?
How long before I can collect my car?
What documents are needed for car finance?
Is there a maximum age of car that you can buy on finance?
Got more questions?
Try our Help & Advice pages, or feel free to speak to one of our Car Credit Specialists.
Got more questions?
Try our Help & Advice pages, or feel free to speak to one of our Car Credit Specialists.