deposit Archives - My Car Credit

Can I Buy a Used Car with No Down Payment?

Whether you’re purchasing a new or used car, it’s likely to be expensive. Very few people have the cash available to fund the purchase of a vehicle in its entirety, in which case car finance is an ideal option. As such, you may be wondering, ‘Can I buy a used car with no down payment?’.

There are a number of different car finance options available, from hire purchase (HP) to personal contract purchase (PCP) and personal contract hire (PCH). The most common way to secure car financing without a down payment is via PCP, but it will depend on the provider of your car finance.

This article will look at ways to secure no-deposit car finance, what you can expect from such a deal, and any potential workarounds.

Can you buy a used car with no down payment?

There are ways to secure car finance with no deposit (or ‘down payment’). Whether or not this is available for you will depend on what kind of car finance you’re looking for. Similarly, whether no-deposit finance is most appropriate for you will depend on your personal circumstances.

When you purchase a used car, you’re buying a vehicle that’s value has already depreciated. Any deposit that you need to pay on it will therefore be smaller than it would be where you purchase a new car.

If you opt for no-deposit finance, then you can expect to pay the same amount of money by the end of your car finance terms as you would if you were to make a down payment. That said, the lower your deposit is, the higher your monthly repayments will be. In short, no-deposit finance will end up with you paying higher monthly repayments, which you need to be sure that you can make before entering into the finance deal.

You can also expect to be paying a higher rate of interest if you do not put down a deposit. As a result, you can end up repaying more than what the car was originally worth just through this hike in interest.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you are looking for no-deposit finance, your lender will likely only accept you if you have a high credit score. Because you aren’t fronting the money for a down payment, you’re considered higher risk. As such, your credit score will need to demonstrate that you have a track record of making your repayments in a timely and efficient manner. You’ll also likely have to pass affordability tests, which car finance providers conduct in order to ascertain whether or not a borrower is financially able to make their repayments.

As such, whilst it is possible to secure a used car with no down payment, if you can front the money for that deposit when you initially purchase the vehicle, this will lower both your monthly repayments and your interest costs. It can therefore be more beneficial for you in the long run.

Alternative ways to finance your car

There are things that you can do to try and finance your vehicle.

If you can shop around, this will put you in a better place to negotiate. Familiarise yourself with the kinds of terms that you can expect, so that you’re in the most informed position you can be. Similarly, if you shop around for a cheaper car, you won’t need as much for a deposit.

You could also consider asking someone to co-sign your loan. You and the co-signer would need to be aware of the potential risks in entering this agreement, but this might be a way to secure car finance without a down payment.

Alternatively, you could delay the purchase of the car until you have the cash to make the down payment. Any deposit is better than no deposit, and you’ll have likely improved your credit score over that saving period too, which will make you a more attractive candidate for finance in the first instance.

Find out more about used car finance

If you have questions about no-deposit car finance, or want to find out what other deals may be available, you can contact My Car Credit today, or use our car finance calculator to check what kind of terms you can expect.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

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

Calculate Which Factors Affect the Cost of Car Finance

Brits are no strangers to car finance, with the latest data revealing around 90% of the 2.3 million new cars sold in an average year are financed through an FLA member. Finance can be a great way to unlock more spending power. However, before you apply it’s important to develop a good understanding of how the cost of car finance works.

What many people don’t realise is that the cost of car finance can vary significantly from motorist to motorist. Every applicant is different, and creditors will always adjust the cost of car finance accordingly. So which factors affect the cost of finance? Read on for our expert guide, including how to calculate the factors that affect the cost of car finance.

Cost of car/loan amount

The main factor that determines the cost of car finance is the overall price of the car and the total loan amount. This bottom line figure is what determines everything from monthly repayments to annual interest. While it can be tempting to focus on the price of the car itself it’s important to understand this isn’t the only factor at play. Interest rates, as well as extra fees and charges, can have a big impact on the overall cost of your loan. Before committing to a car loan, it’s always best to crunch the numbers using a cost of car finance calculator.

Deposit

Cash deposits are a major contributor as they directly affect the cost of the car and the loan amount. Deposits are taken off these figures which lowers the amount you need to borrow and brings down the total cost of car credit. For a quick and easy overview, check out our cost of car finance calculator.

Repayment term

Like home loans, repayment terms will have a big impact on the cost of your car credit. For example, if you plan to settle your car loan within two years, your monthly repayments will be 50% more than with a four-year repayment plan. Opting for the shortest repayment term possible is a good way to slash your interest expenses. Basically, the faster you pay off your loan the less interest you’ll be paying.

Interest rate

Creditors always charge interest rates on loans and these can have a significant impact on the total amount you pay back. Interest is calculated on the total amount you borrow, which means the higher the loan the more interest you’ll pay. A typical Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 6.9%, which includes your interest rate and any applicable fees. This means that on a £10,000 loan across three years, you’ll pay 36 monthly payments of about £307, totalling £11,065. This includes the £10,000 you borrowed and £1,065 in interest and fees.

Your monthly payments are set from the start of the agreement and stay the same throughout. However, at the start you’ll be paying more of the interest and less of the loan balance. As you get towards the end of the term, you’ll be repaying less interest and more balance.

Before signing a contract you’ll also want to determine whether your interest rate is fixed or variable. There are pros and cons to each, usually dependent on your personal preferences and financial situation.

Credit rating

Credit ratings are incredibly important when applying for a car loan. They offer lenders an overview of what your spending habits are like and how responsible you are with money. This allows lenders to calculate the risk factor of offering you a loan and empowers them with the data to adjust interest rates accordingly. The risk is lower for applicants with good credit scores which means lenders are more inclined to offer lower interest rates. In comparison, applicants with lower credit scores are deemed higher risk and may be penalised with higher interest rates.

We always recommend starting with ‘soft’ credit checks as they won’t impact your credit score. Unlike hard checks, they don’t leave a trace on your credit score and aren’t visible to potential lenders. Take out too many hard credit checks and you risk presenting yourself as a volatile and credit-hungry applicant.

Type of car finance you’re going for

The type of car finance you’re looking to take out will also affect the overall cost of your loan. Hire Purchase (HP) loans are one of the most popular models and involve paying off the full value of the car in monthly instalments. The loan is secured against the vehicle, meaning you won’t officially own the car until you’ve paid off the last instalment. You don’t need to put a deposit down on many HP loans but it will help lower your monthly repayments and overall interest if you do.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) loans are another popular credit option. Designed to be more flexible than HP loans, they’re based on a long-term ‘rental’ model that usually spans over three to five years. During this time, you make payments that allow you to use the car over the agreed period. PCP loans often come with mileage limits and damage penalties so it’s important to understand all the fine print before you sign on. When your contract comes to an end, you’re offered the option of returning the car and upgrading to a new vehicle on a similar contract or purchasing it outright with a ‘balloon payment’.

Balloon payments are an interesting concept as they can be financially challenging in themselves. At My Car Credit we understand how difficult it can be to find the cash for car loans which is why we developed a special Balloon Payment Finance plan designed to help you own a car at the end of a PCP contract.

Extra fees and charges

Don’t overlook the additional fees and charges that can often come with car credit. These can include brokerage fees, monthly account-keeping fees, statement fees, late payment fees and penalty charges if you choose to terminate your loan early. All can contribute to the overall cost of your car loan and it’s important to know exactly what you’re paying for.

Securing the best car loans

Need help securing a car loan? At My Car Credit we comb through more than 25 trusted car finance lenders to find you the best deals. We also have a lightning-fast cost of car finance calculator that can be used to estimate your repayments in a matter of clicks.

As part of Evolution Funding, we’re backed by one of the largest motor finance brokers in the UK and have access to the most comprehensive panel of car loan companies. What does this mean for you? It boosts our chances of finding you the best possible car finance deals and ensures your repayments and interest rates are as low as possible. To find out more, get in touch with our friendly team today on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

What Checks Are Done for Car Finance?

Try Our Classic Car Financing Calculator

What is the Average Car Loan Interest Rate?

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

car finance calculator cost of car finance deposit interest rates Jan24

No Deposit Car Finance – How Does it Work?

New car bought with no deposit car finance

You’ve fallen in love with the perfect dream car, it’s ready to go and you’re raring to drive it straight off the forecourt. Only one problem remains – paying for your new wheels.

Car finance offers the perfect solution for buying the car of your dreams without needing to use your savings and pay in one go. You get the option to pay your car off in manageable monthly payments, over a period of your choice.

However, some people do worry about needing to find a deposit. This is typically a large chunk of the overall payment and if you do not have a car to trade in, it can be unaffordable for some.

Luckily, you can now get car finance without having to pay an initial deposit. Read on to discover how this works and whether you could get no deposit car finance.

The types of car financing

Car financing is a very common method used when buying a car. For the majority of us out there, paying for a car outright is unrealistic, especially if you’re looking to get a new vehicle. Car financing gives you the option to pay off the cost of your car monthly, rather than paying the cost in one go. There are a few different types of car financing available that you can choose from, with the main two being hire purchase and personal contract purchase:

Hire purchase (HP)

Hire purchase is one of the most popular car financing methods. You can either set up an HP deal with your car dealer directly or with a third party broker or lender. Generally, you may get a better deal with an external company than the car dealership so it’s good practice to shop around.

With many car finance options, a deposit of around 10% of the purchase price is required to secure the financing – we’ll get to the zero deposit options later in the article.

HP contracts can last anywhere between two and five years, with monthly payments, plus interest, paying off the value of the car. Once your contract is up and you have completed all your payments, the car is yours. You may have to pay a final payment that is higher than your monthly cost to secure the vehicle, but this will be agreed when buying the car so there will be no hidden surprises.

So, once your contract has come to an end and all payments have been made, you are then the owner of the car and can do with it whatever you please.

Personal contract purchase (PCP)

A personal contract purchase (PCP) is similar to a hire purchase in many ways. The car is paid off in monthly installments rather than one lump sum. You have the option of paying a deposit, which does reduce your monthly payments and overall interest. Despite their similarities, there is one clear difference between HP and PCP car financing deals.

With a HP agreement, you are paying off the full value of the car each month and so at the end of the agreement, you own the vehicle. However, with a PCP agreement, you are only paying off the depreciation of the car each month, rather than the full value.

So, you are essentially paying the difference between the car’s value when you purchase it and the estimated value of the car at the end of the agreement. In essence, you are renting the car from the dealership for a set number of years. At the end of the contract, you can make a choice between paying a lump sum to keep the car, trading in the vehicle for a newer model or returning the car entirely to the dealer.

No deposit car finance

So, now we’ve covered the two most popular forms of car financing, it’s time to take a closer look at how you can secure a car finance deal without having to fork out the initial deposit. It sounds too good to be true, right? Driving away in your dream car without having to pay a penny upfront. But it is in fact a reality.

Due to the huge competition out there when it comes to car financing options, from car dealerships to independent companies, there are a number of deals now available to allow companies to stand out from the crowd.

Typically, the best no deposit car finance deals are found from third party companies. This includes car finance price comparison websites such as Confused.com, which compare the best deals from across the market.

Alternatively, car finance brokers such as My Car Credit will offer you a broader panel of lenders who cover all credit profiles, from excellent through to bad.

No deposit car finance is available from most of My Car Credit’s lender panel. This means if you find a car worth £7500, a lender from My Car Credit would pay for the vehicle from the dealership and offer you a repayment plan over your chosen term, leaving you with nothing to pay upfront.

Secure the best deal

If you’re looking for a new car and want to know your budget or perhaps you’ve found your dream vehicle and are wanting to get driving as soon as possible, the no deposit car financing deals from My Car Credit can get you on the road in no time. We have a number of options available to suit you, no matter your circumstances.

Get a car finance quote today using our quick and easy calculator. You can then apply online and get an instant, online decision on car finance. If you need any help, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team to see how we can help you drive away in your new car.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

Am I eligible for car finance?

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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

deposit hp Jan24 no deposit car finance PCP

Can I Buy a Used Car with No Down Payment?

Whether you’re purchasing a new or used car, it’s likely to be expensive. Very few people have the cash available to fund the purchase of a vehicle in its entirety, in which case car finance is an ideal option. As such, you may be wondering, ‘Can I buy a used car with no down payment?’.