A Guide to Getting a Used Car on Finance

If you are shopping around for a car, you may be considering used car finance to fund your purchase. Car finance agreements offer great flexibility in terms of spreading payments and there are many options to choose from depending on your needs.

Each type of car finance comes with its own advantages and disadvantages; understanding these are crucial in making sure you choose the right option. This guide will give you an overview of the car finance options available and highlight the things you should consider before making a decision.

• Car finance explained
• How does car finance work?
• Car finance options
• What checks are done for car finance?
• How long does car finance approval take?
• How to get the best car finance deal
• Alternative ways to finance a car
• Frequently Asked Questions

How does used car finance work?

Most car finance agreements will begin by paying a deposit. However, some deals such as PCP don’t always require you to. You’ll then pay fixed monthly payments over a term agreed with the lender.

When you come to the end of an agreement, you will be given a few options depending on the type of car finance you choose. With some, you own the car from the beginning of the agreement and with others, you will own the car at the end of the term after making an additional payment or small fee.

There are also options that simply allow you to return the car or trade it in for a new one. We’ll explore the different types of car finance options below.

Car finance options

Personal contract purchase

With PCP finance, you’ll be expected to pay a deposit followed by fixed monthly payments. During these payments, the car belongs to the finance company and at the end of the agreement, you will have the option to either make a balloon payment to keep the car, exchange the car or return the car. PCP car finance agreements are a great option if you intend to change cars regularly.

Hire purchase

HP car finance is very similar to PCP finance, however, you will not be expected to make a balloon payment at the end of the term if you wish to keep the car. Instead, you will have to pay a small ‘option to purchase’ fee.

Conditional sale

CS car finance is very similar to HP finance agreements. However, unlike HP finance you will become the legal owner of the vehicle at the start of the agreement and you will not have to pay any additional fees to own it.

Leasing

Much like HP, PCP and CS, leasing involves paying an initial deposit followed by fixed monthly payments. However, the biggest difference is that you will not own the car at the end and you won’t have the option to purchase it. This form of car finance can be particularly useful if you have no intention of owning the car once the finance agreement ends.

Can you lease a used car?

Yes, it is possible to take out a leasing agreement on a used car. However, it is much rarer than HP, PCP or even CS car finance, and only a minority of dealers will provide this method of financing.

What checks are done for car finance?

If you choose to take out car finance, the lender will perform checks to assess your eligibility for finance before you are accepted.

Credit check

Initially, the finance company will carry out a soft credit check to get a general overview of your credit history to assess your eligibility. Soft credit checks do not have an effect on your credit score. Once you have your initial agreement and if you decide to proceed, a hard credit check will be carried out. Unlike a soft credit check, this type of credit check looks at your full credit history and can damage your credit score if you carry out too many in a short space of time.

Proof of identity

The lender will also require proof of identity, usually in the form of a driver’s licence or passport. This is so you can prove who you are and to ensure you are not committing an act of fraud.

Proof of address

You will usually be required to provide a minimum of three years of address history. This can be done by providing copies of your utility bills.

Income and employment history

In order to assess your capability to pay back the car finance, lenders will want to see proof of your income. If you are self-employed you might need to provide additional information to the lender.

Driver’s licence

Many lenders will require you to provide a valid driver’s license to prove your legal status to drive. Without this, you may have your application rejected.

How long does car finance approval take?

On average it will take between 1-2 days for car finance to be approved, however, some lenders can give you a response sooner. The length of time will usually depend on what checks are involved.

At Motor’s we’ve partnered with CarMoney to find you the most suitable car finance option for you. For a quick estimate for HP car finance, use our finance calculator.

How to get the best used car finance deal

Whilst many terms of the car finance agreement are fixed such as interest rates and APR, there are some things you can do in order to lower your monthly repayments and get the best car finance deal.

Consider the deposit amount and length of the term

Comparing different term lengths and deposit amounts can have an effect on the monthly payments and how much you will pay overall. If you are able to, putting down a larger deposit can reduce your monthly payments.

Whilst opting for a longer term can reduce your monthly payments, you might end up paying more in interest overall. Therefore a shorter term could be the better option.

Improve your credit score

Your credit score will dictate the terms of your agreement and the interest rates you are offered. If your credit score is low or you haven’t yet built a credit rating, lenders will consider you more of a risk. Because of this, your finance options might be more limited and you can expect to pay more in interest. Improving your credit score before you apply for a car finance agreement will increase your chances of getting a better deal.

Be aware of the extras and fees

With some agreements, you will be charged a fee if you break the terms of your agreement. For example, if you exceed your mileage allowance or damage the vehicle beyond what is considered fair wear and tear. It is always a good idea to consider whether you could afford these if you were required to pay them.

Compare multiple deals

There are lots of deals out there and shopping around for car finance agreements is a great way to ensure you are getting the best deal. Whilst there isn’t a limit to how many soft checks you can have, we would not advise carrying out multiple hard credit checks. This can damage your credit score and in turn, make you ineligible for the best deals. Most car finance calculators are speculative so will only conduct soft searches initially.

Alternative ways to finance a used car

Using a credit card to buy a car

Purchasing a used car on a credit card can not only give you flexibility in terms of payment, but it will also provide you will additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. That being said, some used car dealers might charge a card handle fee which can be as high as 3% and some might not accept them at all.

Personal Loan

A personal loan, also known as a bank loan, is another popular way to finance a car. Much like other forms of car finance, personal loans will be repaid on a monthly schedule set up with the bank. The terms of a personal loan will be dependent on your credit score and how much you are intending to borrow.