Multiple applications for a car loan

Are you applying for more than one car loan at once? Read this first.

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1 - 20 of 90
Name Interest Rate (p.a.) Comp. Rate (p.a.) Application Fee Monthly Fee Monthly Repayment
IMB New Car Loan
IMB logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $2,000 - $125,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.24%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.59%
Application Fee
$274.78
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$619.01
More Info
Borrow up to $125,000, pay no account-keeping fees and repay with fixed repayments while having the ability to repay early.
loans.com.au - New/Demo - Variable Rate
loans.com.au logo
Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.24%
to 7.39%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.37%
to 8.5%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$630.83
Go to siteMore Info
Borrow up to $150,000 with rate discounts for electric and hybrid vehicles, flexible terms, early repayment options, and a 3-month pre-approval period.
Stratton Finance New Car Loan
Stratton Finance logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.52%
to 18%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.95%
to 23%
Application Fee
$395
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$625.27
Go to siteMore Info
Your own personal car loan broker can help you borrow up to $300,000 for your new car by choosing from a range of finance options.
OurMoneyMarket New Car Loan ($5,000-$100,000)
OurMoneyMarket logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 18.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.19%
to 21.78%
Application Fee
$250
min.
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$622.82
Go to siteMore Info
Simplify New Car Loan
Simplify Finance logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.19%
to 18%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.6%
to 23%
Application Fee
$395
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$622.21
Go to siteMore Info
OurMoneyMarket Used Car Loan ($5,000-$100,000)
OurMoneyMarket logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.57%
to 18.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.19%
to 21.78%
Application Fee
$250
min.
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$622.82
Go to siteMore Info
RACV New Car Loans
RACV logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.29%
to 16.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8%
to 17.77%
Application Fee
$499
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$635.67
Go to siteMore Info
You'll receive a fixed rate from 7.29% p.a.
A larger loan of $5,000 or more to help you buy a new or used car. 5-hour pre approval available and no ongoing fees.
loans.com.au - Variable Rate Used Car < 5 years
loans.com.au logo
Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.39%
to 7.39%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.52%
to 8.64%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$641.54
Go to siteMore Info
Buy a used car up to 12 years old with a loan of up to $150,000 and pay off up to one year early without paying early repayment fees.
Stratton Finance Used Car Loan
Stratton Finance logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.52%
to 18%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.95%
to 23%
Application Fee
$395
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$625.27
Go to siteMore Info
You'll receive a fixed rate loan from 6.52% p.a. with a comparison rate of 6.95% p.a.
A used car loan of up to $300,000 with quick approval times and balloon payment options.
Simplify Used Car Loan
Simplify Finance logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.19%
to 18%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
6.6%
to 23%
Application Fee
$395
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$622.21
Go to siteMore Info
RACV Used Car Loans
RACV logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
8.49%
to 16.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
9.21%
to 17.77%
Application Fee
$499
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$647.01
Go to siteMore Info
You'll receive a fixed rate from 8.49% p.a.
Benefit from no ongoing fees, 5-hour approval and a 21-day satisfaction guarantee. Interest rate discounts for members.
loans.com.au - Fixed Rate Used Car < 3 years
loans.com.au logo
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.59%
to 8.79%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.72%
to 10.04%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$643.41
Go to siteMore Info
Credit Concierge New Car Loan
Credit Concierge logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $100,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.39%
to 16.45%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.51%
to 17.91%
Application Fee
$553
Monthly Fee
$10
Monthly Repayment
$638.9
More Info
Credit Concierge Used Car Loan
Credit Concierge logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $1,000,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.8%
to 17.45%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
7.56%
to 18.91%
Application Fee
$553
Monthly Fee
$10
Monthly Repayment
$642.74
More Info
Verified Lending Used Car Loan
Verified Lending logo
Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $200,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.1%
to 18.99%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.06%
to 22.99%
Application Fee
$395
Monthly Fee
$0
Monthly Repayment
$630.67
More Info
loans.com.au - New/Demo - Fixed Rate
loans.com.au logo
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
6.89%
to 8.09%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.02%
to 9.2%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$636.87
Go to siteMore Info
You'll receive a fixed rate of 6.89% p.a. based on your risk profile
Finance a new car and benefit from features such as fast approval, no ongoing fees and an optional balloon payment.

loans.com.au - Variable Rate Used Car < 3 years
loans.com.au logo
Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.39%
to 7.39%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.52%
to 8.64%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$641.54
Go to siteMore Info
loans.com.au - Fixed Rate Used Car < 5 years
loans.com.au logo
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
7.69%
to 8.89%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
8.82%
to 10.14%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$644.35
Go to siteMore Info
loans.com.au - Fixed Rate Used Car Loan (6 to 7 years)
loans.com.au logo
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
8.99%
to 10.19%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
10.12%
to 11.44%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$656.62
Go to siteMore Info
loans.com.au - Fixed Rate Used Car Loan (8+ years)
loans.com.au logo
Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)
12.69%
to 13.89%
Comp. Rate (p.a.)
13.8%
to 15.14%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$692.31
Go to siteMore Info
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Showing 20 of 90 results

Shopping around for a car loan is always a good idea. However, applying for every loan offer you see is not recommended. This is because every time you apply for a car loan, that application is listed on your credit file. This is known as a "hard inquiry". Having too many hard inquiries on your credit report will affect your ability to be approved for credit in the future.

Our guide will show you how to shop around without being subject to hard enquiries and affecting your credit score.

Find out more about what your credit report looks like

When will shopping around for a car loan affect my credit rating?

Technically, submitting your personal and financial details as part of a loan application will result in a mark on your credit file. The credit provider will need details such as your name and driver's licence number to be able to bring up your credit file and then be able to list the inquiry.

However, it may not be obvious that an inquiry will be listed. For instance, the credit provider may advertise it as a "quote" or an "initial consultation" but even if you don't follow through with the loan, you could see it listed in your file as an inquiry. If you have multiple inquiries listed on your file in a short space of time this will affect your credit score and make lenders wary of lending to you in the future.

How to reduce the hard inquiries on your credit report

If you have existing hard inquiries on your credit report, you have the option to contest them with your credit reporting agency, and possibly the credit provider(s) that made the hard inquiries. However, you only have the option to do this if the hard inquiries in question are a result of identity theft. If the credit inquiries are found to be fraudulent, you can have them removed from your credit report.

To avoid fraudulent activity on your credit report, you can check your credit file regularly with the 3 credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and illion (formerly Dun & Bradstreet). Checking your file periodically will allow you to pinpoint any unusual activity on your report. Checking your file is also free to do.

However, if you made the hard inquiries yourself, the only option you have is to wait it out. It takes 2 years for a hard inquiry to be removed from your credit report. Credit reporting agencies will do this automatically – you don't have to contact them to make this happen.

The alternative to making hard inquiries on car loans is to find a lender that provides pre-approval, or soft credit inquiries.

Finder survey: Have Australians of different ages ever had a car loan application rejected?

ResponseGen ZGen YGen XBaby Boomers
No55.06%64.95%70.72%70.74%
I have never applied for a car loan37.08%25.27%24.01%28.69%
Yes7.87%9.78%5.26%0.57%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023

How soft inquiries work

A soft credit inquiry, sometimes also called a soft credit check or a soft credit pull, is where a lender pre-approves you for a loan based on the personal and financial information you provide, without making a hard credit inquiry. Soft credit checks do not affect your credit score.

Many car loan lenders offer pre-approval on their loans. Pre-approval means that if all of the information you have provided is true and you pass a full credit check, you will be offered the loan. For more information regarding pre-approval on car loans and where to find lenders that offer pre-approval, please visit our guide.

The difference between "hard inquiries" and "soft inquiries"

It's important to understand the difference between these two types of credit inquiries.

Hard credit inquiries
  • Occur when you apply for finance and the lender checks your credit report
  • Are listed on your credit report
  • Remain on your credit report for 2 years
  • Multiple hard inquiries can make it more difficult to be approved for finance
Soft credit inquiries
  • Occur when you apply for pre-approval without applying for the loan
  • Are not listed on your credit report
  • Do not affect your credit score
  • Multiple soft inquiries do not affect your likelihood of being approved for finance

How many hard inquiries is too many?

There is no one number that is "too many", but generally, 1 credit inquiry every 3 to 6 months is not considered to be risky behaviour by lenders and shouldn't affect your credit score too much.

Is it worth applying for a car loan with multiple lenders?

No. Applying for multiple car loans in a short period of time could potentially harm your credit rating and hinder your chance of being approved for a loan.

That being said, if you already have one car loan, you can apply for a second loan. The second application you submit will likely ask for details regarding your existing debts, and may be less inclined to lend to you if you already have a car loan outstanding. However, if you are able to show financial capacity to repay the second loan (based on your income and financial credentials) this may not pose an issue.

Can multiple applications cause other problems?

Yes. Multiple car loan applications could have long-term effects on your credit rating. This is because they can remain on your credit file for up to 2 years, so you may face more issues in the future than simply being refused credit from lenders in the short term.

How do I check my credit file and credit score?

You can check your credit score for free on Finder. You can also order your credit file for free every 12 months or if you've been rejected for credit in the past 90 days. Your free credit file will be delivered to you within 10 days. However, if you want it delivered sooner or aren't eligible for a free credit file, you can pay a fee for it as well.

What happens if I don't get approved when I apply for a car loan?

If you do your due diligence and shop around for the best rates, fees and features without applying, but you don't get approved when you do apply, you may be wondering what to do now. If you don't need to purchase the car straight away you might consider waiting 3 months to apply with another lender. Even waiting a couple of weeks may make you look like less of a risk to a lender.

If you are in a position where you do need to make the car purchase quickly, consider calling the lender to explain your situation and finding out whether or not your recent rejection will be an issue. You can also consider finding finance with a car loan broker.

Can I apply for a car loan if I have a bad credit history?

Woman having problems with bad credit

If you have bad credit you can compare lenders that specifically work with bad credit applicants. Depending on how bad your credit history is, it may also be worth getting in touch with your current bank to see if it would be willing to consider your application. Make sure to contact your bank before submitting an application.

Before you begin your search, build up a small deposit and examine your budget to decide how much of a car loan monthly repayment you can afford. Then begin to research and compare the different lenders that specialise in high-risk car loans before making your final decision.

Don’t make further negative marks on your credit report by applying for more than one. Most of these types of lenders will analyse your credit rating without it showing up on your report to ensure that you will qualify before they process your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Written by

Head of Publishing Ventures

Matt Corke is Finder’s head of publishing ventures. Prior to this he was head of publishing for Australia, New Zealand and emerging markets. Matt built his first website in 1999 and has been building computers since he was in his early teens. In that time, he has survived the dot-com crash and countless Google algorithm updates. See full bio

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Co-written by

Writer

Bria Horne is a writer for Finder, with a specialist knowledge of personal loans, car loans and business loans. Originally from the UK, Bria has been a professional personal finance writer in Australia for over 2 years. She has an M.A and B.A in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Sussex, and previously worked on the UK’s leading hospitality publication. See full bio

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