Car loans · Personal loans · Plain English
Know your number before you pick the car
Most car ads start with a weekly repayment. We start with your budget. Work out what you can comfortably repay, see what the car will cost to run, then look at real loan options before you commit.
See your options first
You can look at what's on offer before you commit to anything. Nothing is signed until you're comfortable with the numbers.
A real person can help
Questions about a quote, a document or your budget? A real person can walk you through it.
Honest answers, better matches
Answer the application questions accurately. Correct income and expense figures lead to options you can actually live with.
Find your situation
Two kinds of loan, explained properly
Pick the one that sounds like you. Each page covers how it works, what lenders look at and what to check before you sign.
Car loans
New, used, private sale, dealer, ute, electric or a fresh start after credit trouble: how each kind of car loan works and what to check before you sign.
Personal loans
Consolidating debts, covering an emergency, fixing up the house or rebuilding after a rough patch: how personal loans work and when they make sense.
The total-cost checklist
The repayment is only the start
A car keeps costing money after you drive away. Add these to your budget before you decide how much to borrow, and you'll know whether the loan really fits.
- RegistrationEvery year, set by your state.
- CTP insuranceIn rego in most states; a green slip in NSW.
- Comprehensive coverOften required while the car secures a loan.
- ServicingScheduled services plus a repair buffer.
- Tyres and brakesSooner than you think on heavier cars.
- Fuel or chargingYour real weekly kilometres, not the brochure.
Quick quiz
Car loan or personal loan?
A secured car loan uses the car as security and often costs less. An unsecured personal loan leaves the car free but usually costs more. Four questions will point you to the one to look at first.
Want the long version? Read secured vs unsecured personal loans or try the full quiz page.
How it works
From budget to keys in four steps
- 1
Plan your number
Use the budget planner to find a repayment you'd be comfortable with.
- 2
Pick the right loan type
Car loan or personal loan, secured or unsecured. The quiz helps.
- 3
Apply with our secure partner
Answer accurately and see your options before you commit.
- 4
Get the keys
Approval can be quick, and funds may be available as soon as the next business day for eligible applicants.
Myth vs fact
Four car-loan beliefs worth unlearning
MythIf I can manage the weekly repayment, I can afford the car.
FactThe repayment is one line of the budget. Rego, insurance, servicing, tyres and fuel arrive whether or not the loan is paid off.
MythApplying with lots of lenders gets me the best deal.
FactEvery application can show on your credit report, and Moneysmart warns that too many in a short time can lower your score. Plan first, then apply once.
MythIf the seller still owes money on the car, that's their problem.
FactA lender with a registered interest may be able to take the car. A $2 PPSR search before you pay tells you whether finance is owing.
MythA smaller repayment always means a better loan.
FactSmaller repayments usually come from a longer term or a balloon payment, and both tend to raise the total you repay.
Guides
Read before you sign
Practical guides on costs, checks, credit and what to do if money gets tight.
True Cost of Running a Car in Australia: The Full List
Read the guide →
PPSR Check Before Buying a Used Car: Step by Step
Read the guide →
What Lenders Check Before Approving a Car or Personal Loan
Read the guide →
Behind on Car Loan Repayments? Your Options, in Order
Read the guide →Common questions
What is Personal Car Loans?
An Australian website that helps everyday people plan a car or personal loan budget, understand their options in plain English, and start an application with a secure partner when they're ready.
How much car can I afford?
Start with your monthly take-home pay, subtract regular expenses and the car's running costs, then keep a safety buffer. What's left is a comfortable repayment budget. The car budget planner works it out for you.
Why don't you show interest rates?
Every loan is priced on the applicant's circumstances and the lender's assessment, so a website rate rarely matches what you'd be offered. Compare a real quote, including fees, against your own budget instead.
Can I see my options before I commit?
Yes. You can look over what's possible before agreeing to anything, and a real person can help if anything is unclear.
How fast can a car loan be approved?
Approval can be quick, and funds may be available as soon as the next business day for eligible applicants. It depends on your documents, the lender's checks and the seller.
Can I get a car loan with bad credit?
Possibly. Lenders look at what's on your credit report, how recent it is and whether your income and expenses support the repayment. A bigger deposit and a modest car help.
Do I need a PPSR check for a used car?
It's strongly recommended. A $2 search on ppsr.gov.au shows whether the car has finance owing or has been reported stolen or written off. Search when you find the car and again on purchase day.
More answers on the FAQ page. Ready now? Start your application with our secure partner.
Got a number you're comfortable with?
Take it to your application. See your options before you commit, answer the questions accurately, and a real person can help if you need it.
See your options first
A real person can help
Honest answers, better matches