A 5 step guide to obtaining the best car loan

Getting a car loan is probably the second biggest financial decision that you will ever make. In fact, the majority of people that are considering buying a car today, whether they’re after a brand new car from a dealership, or a second hand car from a private seller, are likely to need to get a car loan in order to pay for it and drive it home.

We have put together a quick 5 step guide to obtaining car finance at the best rates. So before you apply down at your local dealership for a car loan, please consider the following points before submitting an application.

1. Don’t Make Multiple Enquiries At Once

Technology has made it so easy to apply for a car loan online without even leaving your home or office. Sometimes people don’t even realise they are actually applying for a car loan rather than just enquiring about a car loan online. Applying for a car loan with too many financiers can greatly affect your chances of being approved by any lender. Credit reporting agencies can now make note every time a financial institution checks your credit history. If you’ve applied for multiple car loans recently, financiers are likely to consider you to be a high risk and decline your application.

You can obtain a copy of your credit report to see what information it holds about you and also to see what the financiers can see. In the meantime, only make an application for a loan once you are happy that your chosen financier is going to offer a competitive car finance rate. We can’t stress this enough, the worst thing you can do is to make multiple applications at one time. Read more about knowing your credit file intimately and why it’s important to your financial future.

2. Pre-Approved Car Loans

If you’re looking to head out to buy a car from a local dealer, it’s wise to apply for your car loan pre-approval before you set foot in the dealership. Having your money pre-approved ready to go can increase your bargaining power at the sales desk. Also, this way you can look at more options than just the one option that a car dealership will generally have to offer you. We all know that if you only have one option to choose from it is very difficult to know if you are getting the very best car loan deal.

3. Look At Buying A Later Model

It’s true, new car loans can sometimes be easier to get that approval that you are looking for over a used car loan. If the repayments for a new car fit within your budget then it may work in your favour to get a better overall car loan deal and walk away with manufacturer warranty for years to come. Finance companies see older vehicles as harder to sell if things go bad and as such mark them as a higher risk. You can still have your car loan approved for an older car, but history tells us that it can be a lot easier to get approved for a brand new car.

4. Have Your Affairs In Order

You can certainly have an influence on the turnaround time for your car loan approval and help your chances of getting your loan settled fast. There are some items that you can get together and have ready for when you make your application that will speed up the process for you. Having your pay slips, ID and knowing your last 3 years employment and residential history will be a great head start. If you can show you have regular employment and have the capacity to save money you will be highly regarded by most financiers.

If you’d like to know how you’d score and what loan options might be available to you, enquire now or speak with one of our Lending Specialists for an obligation free quote. Call 1300 665 906 for your obligation free car loan quote.

5. Read The Fine Print Carefully

This one is a no brainer, but it surprises us how many times we speak with clients that don’t know a lot about their current car loans. We get swept up in the emotion of driving away with a new car that the fine print gets overlooked. Not all financiers are the same, and as such this also means that not all banks are the same. This is why it’s very important to speak with someone that can help you compare your car loan options to ensure you are getting the very best deal on the market today. Financier’s appetites for deals change every month, so it is important that you speak with someone that has their finger on the pulse. It’s never wise to rush into any long term financial commitments without taking the time to speak with someone that can give you obligation free advice about all of the possible car loan options. If you are patient and do your homework, you could secure yourself a better car loan that you originally thought possible.

Do you have someone experienced in your corner?

Fox Finance Group is one of Australia’s leading personalised financial service organisations. We have spent many years getting things right so that you can rest assured that you are getting the very best financial advice available on the market today. We work for you, not the banks, plus we can have a car loan pre-approved ready to go the same day!

As a Fox Finance Group Client, you have access to your very own Accredited Loan Specialist along with access to your very own Qualified Financial Planner. Our team comprises of specialists with many years’ experience in Car Loans, Home Loans, Bike Loans, Boat Loans, Jet Ski Loans, Camper Trailer and Caravan Loans, Truck Loans, Personal Loans, Business Loans, Insurance, Financial Planning and more.  Yes, we have a large team here at Fox Finance Group ready to help you.

We pride ourselves on the unique personalised service that we provide our Clients. Your Loan Specialist can help you either over the phone, via email, at your home, at your work or at your own business. You get their direct email address and mobile number, which makes it easy for you to stay in contact with them when you have questions.

If you are keen to learn more or you are ready to act now, you can contact us on 1300 665 906 or you can get started here.