Situation guide
Bad credit
Understand credit reports, eligibility, affordability and the risks of repeated applications.
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Car finance guidance for real situations
Your credit history, income, existing agreement and wider plans can all shape the questions worth asking.
Find the closest match
Your situation may change the right questions
These routes provide general information rather than promising that another application will solve the problem. Where payments are already difficult, getting support may be more useful than taking on new borrowing.
Situation guide
Buying your first car
Build a budget that includes insurance, maintenance and running costs as well as the car.
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Self-employed applicants
Prepare evidence of income and understand that provider requirements may differ.
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Young drivers
Consider insurance and total running costs before deciding what payment is manageable.
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Negative equity
Understand the gap when a settlement figure is higher than the car’s value before changing it.
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Early settlement
Ask the provider for a current settlement figure and compare it with the vehicle’s value.
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Rejected applications
Pause, understand possible reasons and check your credit reports before applying again.
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Affordability problems
Contact the provider early and consider free, qualified debt support when payments are difficult.
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Part-exchange
Confirm the settlement position and how any equity or shortfall is being treated.
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Existing agreement ending
Review return, ownership and replacement choices before the deadline.
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Change in financial circumstances
Revisit affordability and speak to the provider before missing payments.
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Car finance and mortgage preparation
An existing commitment may affect affordability assessments, so plan timing carefully.
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Understand your position before exploring options
Take time to understand the agreement before moving into the separate finance-options journey.