car finance company Archives

Who are the Best Car Finance Companies in the UK?

Woman browsing car finance companies on her laptop

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and start looking for a new (or new to you) car. You’ve chosen to hold onto your hard-earned savings and opt for car finance instead. You certainly won’t be alone – over 90% of cars are now bought on finance in the UK.

You have various options available to you on how to finance a car. From going through the car dealership to applying online, there are plenty of ways to go. Whichever way you choose, it will ultimately be a car finance company that looks after you.

What do car finance companies do?

In a nutshell, car finance companies (or lenders) loan you the money to buy your car. They can often be part of a much larger organisation, such as a bank or car manufacturer. However, many of them are also independent businesses.

Whether you apply through a dealer, a broker or online, it is the finance company that you take out an agreement with. Furthermore, it is the finance company who owns the car until all payments have been made on the agreement.

There are many different finance companies across the UK. What’s more, they tend to focus on a particular area of the car finance market. For example, some finance companies specialise in helping customers who have poor credit. Others prefer to focus on good and excellent credit.

Introducing our panel of car finance companies

Being part of the UK’s largest car finance broker, Evolution Funding, My Car Credit has access to one of the largest selections of car finance companies out of any broker. Over the years, we’ve built up great relationships with these companies so that we can offer customers the best choice.

In addition, we’ve created market-leading technology that makes it easy for customers to get a quick decision on car finance. And because we have so many car finance companies on our panel, we can assist customers with all types of credit profile, from excellent and good through to poor and bad.

Read on for a bit of insight into many of the car finance lenders we work with.

Launched in 2006, Alphera Financial Services is part of the BMW Group, making them a motor company rather than a bank. This means that their products and services are developed specifically for those customers looking for car finance. They are multi-award winning and offer flexible finance solutions across a variety of new and used cars and motorcycles. As with all areas of the BMW Group, they put first-class service and an unrivalled understanding of the motor industry at the heart of their approach.

BNP Paribas is a leading provider of finance in Europe, operating in over 30 countries. They have over 45 years of consumer finance experience and so are well placed to help you with car finance! They offer a wide range of easy-to-use car financing products including hire purchase, personal loans, personal contract purchase, personal contract hire and value-added products such as vehicle protection.

Established in 2005, Blue Motor Finance is one of the UK’s premier lenders of consumer car finance. With remarkable growth, they are ranked 1st in the Financial Times’ FT1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies (March 2019). They use technology to ensure that they offer an excellent customer experience. This includes flexible and competitive finance packages, quick decisions, and reduced administration time.

One of the UK’s leading independent motor finance companies, Close Motor Finance was founded in 1988. They are part of Close Brothers Group plc, a leading UK merchant banking group that was established in 1878! They offer a range of finance products for cars, motorcycles and vans. Close are multi-award winning, including being named Finance Provider of the Year (Prime) at the Car Dealer Power Awards 2020. This was due to their superb customer services.

With over 40 years in the motor industry, MotoNovo Finance is one of the largest and fastest growing car finance companies in the UK. The Consumer Credit Awards 2020 voted them the Best Car Finance Provider, along with many other achievements. They can help with funding cars, vans and motorbikes.

Dating back to 1956, Northridge Finance is part of the Bank of Ireland UK. Northridge have established themselves as one of the UK’s most trusted finance companies in the motor finance market. They were named ‘Best Independent Lender (bank owned)’ at the Car Finance Awards 2019. Whilst they provide finance across a range of sectors, they specialise in motor finance. As part of Bank of Ireland UK, they have a solid foundation you can trust in.

Young, fresh and innovative, Oodle joined the car finance market in 2016. Their ultimate goal is “to make buying a car as easy as buying a t-shirt on Amazon”. They are heavily focused on using technology to transform the way that people finance their cars. What’s more, they are developing a customer-first, fully integrated digital retail experience. They have a great reputation, earning them some great reviews on Trustpilot.

PCF bank has been financing customers’ cars for over 25 years. They have plenty of specialist knowledge and experience to help you with your car purchase. Since they are independent, they have no ties to any car manufacturers and so their customers have total freedom when choosing a car. They assess all applications on a case-by-case basis, offering car ﬁnance on both new and used cars between £2,500 and £250,000.

Founded in 1985, Paragon Bank plc are on the FTSE 250 and are specialists in motor finance. They offer finance on cars, LCVs, motorhomes and caravans. Furthermore, their car finance is available to homeowners, tenants and those living with parents, making them a great addition to our panel.

Launched in 2012, Startline are a flexible lender who offer specialist finance for the near-prime market. What this means is that they often approve applicants who have been previously declined by mainstream prime lenders, while still offering attractive rates and terms. This is great if you have a less than perfect credit score but don’t quite fall into the poor credit bracket.

Advantage Finance is a subsidiary of S&U plc and was founded in 1999. They are another flexible lender who are often able to provide credit where other lenders won’t. They provide a straightforward, easy to understand Hire Purchase product that allows customers to finance the purchase of new and used motor cars, vans, motorcycles or caravans from any licensed UK dealer.

Founded in 1983, Billing Finance are a privately-run, family owned, vehicle finance company. Offering hire purchase agreements, they focus on customers with non-standard credit profiles that may not fit the automated underwriting processes of other lenders. They can finance cars, motorbikes, light commercial vehicles and leisure vehicles, such as caravans and motorhomes. Billing Finance were named Best Independent Lender (Non-Bank Owned) at the Car Finance Awards 2020.

Established in 1973, Marsh Finance are an independent, family-owned finance company that offers both Hire Purchase and Personal Contract Purchase. They pride themselves on offering sensible finance by being a responsible lender. They have grown to being a leading lender in the motor finance market, including catering for those customers with impaired credit.

Moneybarn is the UK’s leading non-standard vehicle finance provider. Founded in 1992, they specialise in helping customers with a poor credit score who may have been turned down by other lenders. They can help with the financing of cars, vans and motorbikes. Moneybarn have won awards for their service and approach to lending, including ‘Non-Prime Lender of the Year’ at the Motor Finance Europe Awards 2020 and Feefo’s Platinum Trusted Service Award 2020.

Established in 2014, Specialist Motor Finance funds Hire Purchase agreements for customers. If you have a less than perfect credit file, Specialist Motor Finance may be the option for you. They offer products that are comparable in quality and service to conventional prime lenders, but with a more flexible approach.

Moneyway is part of Secure Trust Bank plc, who are the only UK bank awarded a Customer Service Excellence accreditation. They look after customers with great credit through to not so great and so are a nice, flexible option on our panel of car finance companies. With the backing of Secure Trust Bank plc, you can be sure you’re in safe hands with Moneyway.

Zopa are probably the most unique car finance company on our lender panel. In 2005, they built the first ever peer-to-peer (P2P) lending company. Their car loan rates are often better than the dealerships and among the lowest in the market. What’s more, they’ve won awards for their customer service year on year.

Of course, we must include Evolution Loans because it’s Evolution Funding’s sister company – Evolution Funding is the company behind My Car Credit. Evolution Loans lends its own money for customers looking for Hire Purchase agreements on cars and LCVs. They are often able to accept applications where other lenders have been unable to.

Why use a broker when applying for car finance?

Now that you know a bit about each car finance company, you may be thinking about going direct to the lender of your choice. However, by taking this approach, you may struggle to find the best rate with the right lender for your circumstances. What’s more, it could take a lot of time and legwork, as well as involving multiple credit searches, which can damage your credit file.

At My Car Credit, we do all the legwork for you! Our smart soft search technology allows us to check your application against all these companies in one go, without impacting your credit score*. The results come back through to us in seconds and the best deal available for your circumstances wins your business!

You can test all this out by calculating car finance and then making a no obligation online application. So don’t delay, find out if one of our car finance companies can help you today!

* Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

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Loan amount

Repayment term

My credit rating

X monthly repayments of
^£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

or call 01246 458 810

Why Use a Car Finance Broker?

Are you on the hunt for the right financing option to fund the purchase of a new or used car? If so, you might have come across the terms “car finance broker” and “car finance lender” in the past. It’s understandable that there could be some confusion around the differences between the two and why one is better than the other.

Simply put, car finance lenders are those responsible for lending you the money necessary to purchase the vehicle in question. After the agreement is signed, it’s to them you’ll owe money and to them you’ll make your repayments.

Car finance brokers, on the other hand, are more like middlemen who specialise in finding the very best deal for you. Normally endowed with an expansive network of contacts, they can trawl through the market to find a number of different products that meet your specific needs. Although they can help in finding car finance, they do not actually provide the finance themselves.

Why use a car finance broker?

So, if they are merely a ‘middleman’, why would you use a car finance broker? Well, it’s just like when you’d consult a mortgage broker or independent financial advisor when buying a house! A car finance broker can provide unique insight, expertise and connections that can make your life a whole lot easier. Here are some of the reasons why it makes good practical sense to enlist the services of a car finance broker:

Expand your options

Traditionally, most people would seek car finance from the same dealership where they found the car they wish to buy. This state of affairs, however, can often limit what products and rate you’ll be offered. This is because many dealerships only have relationships with one or two main lenders. If you have a less than perfect credit profile, you may find that the dealer cannot help you at all. Most car finance brokers – including My Car Credit – have access to a wide range of different lenders. This means they can expand your options and compare and contrast terms to find the best deal for you.

Preferential terms

Car finance brokers spend the entirety of their professional day dealing with the world of car finance. What’s more, they’ll have built upon relationships with a variety of lenders over time. The benefit to you is that they’re able to access preferential terms, discounts and arrangements that simply aren’t available to the man on the street. In conclusion, this can manifest itself in significant savings for you in the long run.

Insider knowledge

Again, the fact that a broker is intimately familiar with all aspects of the car finance industry means they instinctively know how your unique circumstances will affect your deal. That means they’re best placed to judge whether you’d benefit from a HP, PCP or personal loan. They’ll go to great efforts to search for the appropriate arrangement in the source most suited to your needs. What’s more, your application is usually only sent to those lenders most likely to accept you. This has the benefit of limiting the number of hard searches on your credit file.

Optimum deal

All of those aforementioned reasons add up to one major advantage – a car finance broker will always find the best deal for their clients, every single time. With a vested interest in providing value to you, they will go the extra mile to find the deal that suits your situation. Not only does this produce the ideal outcome for you, but they can benefit from the word of mouth that a satisfied customer brings. Everyone wins.

Efficient and convenient

Aside from the plentiful financial benefits of using a car finance broker, there are also plenty of practical pros to consider. For one thing, delegating the legwork involved in tracking down and comparing all of the available deals will save you a substantial amount of time. What’s more, all of this can be achieved online or over the phone. This means you never even have to leave your home to source the finance you need.

Dedicated support

When it comes to a sizeable purchase of any kind, it’s always helpful to have someone in your corner who has extensive experience in the sector. At My Car Credit, we provide a car credit specialist to every case we undertake. You’re assured of someone on hand to answer any questions and allay any fears you might have, every step of the way. And because we charge the lender and not you, you won’t be left out of pocket for the pleasure.

No credit rating impact

You may decide to take matters into your own hands and contact individual lenders and dealerships separately. However, be aware that there’s no guarantee they won’t perform a hard search when verifying your credit history. You may find that you’re not approved for the finance. In addition, it could also leave a permanent record on your credit history and harm your score. Brokers, on the other hand, only ever perform soft searches until approval is assured.

All circumstances considered

Have you struggled with debt repayments in the past? Are you a young driver who hasn’t yet built up a robust credit profile? Or perhaps you’re self-employed? If any of these sound familiar, you might encounter difficulties in tracking down a car finance lender who will approve your application. While we can’t guarantee approval at My Car Credit, we can guarantee that we consider all circumstances fairly – and we’ll give you a decision within mere minutes.

Get in touch with a reputable broker today

What are you waiting for? Your dream car is just waiting for you to come and drive it away – and we can help make that happen. My Car Credit is a specialist car finance broker. Above all, we’re committed to finding the best deals and providing impeccable customer service for every client. When you search for car finance with us, you know you’re in safe hands.

If you want to start the ball rolling on your application, why don’t you give us a ring on 01246 458 810? Alternatively, you could drop us an email to enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk. Be assured, one of our friendly, experienced team will get back to you at our earliest convenience.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

Can I get car finance without a credit check? (a complete guide)

What is a Good Credit Score for Car Financing?

What is a Car Finance Soft Search? – All Your FAQs Answered

Loan amount

Repayment term

My credit rating

X monthly repayments of
^£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

or call 01246 458 810

car finance broker car finance company

Evolution Funding is an Award-Winning Car Finance Company for 5th Year

signage of evolution funding car finance company in chesterfield

Every year Evolution Funding, the car finance company behind My Car Credit, enters the UK’s largest industry awards. The best car finance companies are judged independently for their quality of service, their commitment to regulation and their investment in technology for better customer experience. This year, due to Covid, the winners were announced on virtual awards ceremonies.

Evolution Funding was delighted to be named Car Finance Awards 2020 ‘Best Broker’ for the fifth consecutive year. In addition, Evolution was awarded ‘Intermediary of the Year’ and ‘Digital Innovation of the Year: Consumer Finance’ at the Motor Finance Awards 2020.

Whilst we have a track record of leading the car finance industry, it is always a proud moment when we retain our award-winning status. These awards are a great boost to all of our staff who have worked so hard through Covid, whilst also ensuring that high industry standards are maintained.

Evolution Funding has lots of developments going on behind the scenes which will ensure that your experience of taking out car finance with My Car Credit is as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Our special (and award-winning!) technology also ensures that you get the best car finance deal available from our large panel of lenders. We want to continue to be the best car finance company in the market. This means you can be sure that we’ll be doing everything to make 2021 a great year too.

If you’re thinking about financing your next car, why not use our free car finance calculator to see what your monthly payments could be? When you apply online, there’s no obligation and no impact on your credit score, just a great car buying journey!

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

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Loan amount

Repayment term

My credit rating

X monthly repayments of
^£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

or call 01246 458 810

award-winning awards best broker car finance company evolution funding

Who are the Best Car Finance Companies in the UK?

What do car finance companies do?

Introducing our panel of car finance companies

Why use a broker when applying for car finance?

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Related articles

Balloon Payments Explained: What, Why & How

What is a Guarantor Loan?

How to Refinance a PCP Balloon Payment

Require more help?

Why Use a Car Finance Broker?

Why use a car finance broker?

Get in touch with a reputable broker today

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Related articles

Can I get car finance without a credit check? (a complete guide)

What is a Good Credit Score for Car Financing?

What is a Car Finance Soft Search? – All Your FAQs Answered

Require more help?

Evolution Funding is an Award-Winning Car Finance Company for 5th Year

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Related articles

FCA Bans Interest-Linked Car Finance Commission, Saving Consumers Millions

Planning the Ultimate Snowdonia Road Trip

What Are the Best Unique Gifts for Car Lovers?

Require more help?

What do car finance companies do?

Introducing our panel of car finance companies

Why use a broker when applying for car finance?

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

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Why use a car finance broker?

Get in touch with a reputable broker today

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