3 Smart Ways to Finance a Car After Financial Setbacks

Struggling to save up for a car this year?

Whether you’re on a lengthy repayment plan or you’ve been handling unexpected financial commitments, upgrading can be tricky. But buying a car outright doesn’t need to be the only option: with careful planning, you can find some clever ways to purchase one on finance.

No matter your situation, here’s how to finance a car strategically.

1. Assess your situation

Before exploring different car financing options, it’s worth evaluating your current overall financial health. This includes:

• Reviewing your credit report: Find out which transactions, loans and areas of your life influence your credit score. Avoid any payment plans that involve a ‘hard search’ as this can influence your report too.
• Understanding your credit score: Not sure what the numbers mean? Don’t worry. But before you speak to any lenders, make sure you’re aware of where you stand and the reasons behind the figures too.
• Identifying areas for improvement: You’ll need to be in the best possible position before applying for finance. Learning how to improve your credit score will be a worthy investment of your time and effort.

Being aware of your financial standing helps you and your lender to set realistic expectations and choose the most appropriate financing solutions. If you’re not sure how to get hold of your credit report, it may be worth contacting your bank and speaking to their customer service team in person.

2. Explore available options

Even if you’re concerned about your credit history, there are always options available to you. Try to do your research and compare different lenders, since there are some that focus solely on assisting people with low credit scores.

It could even be worth searching for and comparing lenders who specialise in bad credit car finance. Take some time to understand the terms, interest rates and requirements of each option before committing.

This will allow you to make a choice that suits your situation. You’ll need to find repayment terms that keep things accessible and affordable for long-term financial stability. Remember, each agreement will involve different commitments and implications.

3. Strategies for approval

Finally, we understand that you’ll be looking for ways to boost your chances of getting approved. Securing a loan is never easy when you struggle with credit, especially for an important purchase like a car.

Luckily, there are a few strategic steps that might help you through the process. These include:

• Saving for a larger deposit, even little and often.
• Delegating a guarantor to support you through the process.
• Choosing a different vehicle that suits your budget or offers lower long-term running and maintenance costs.

While these steps might entail changing your plans or finding a different car, being realistic can demonstrate financial responsibility to lenders. This could potentially lead to more favourable terms – and will certainly help you on your journey to responsible financing.