To make comparing car loans even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 200+ car loan products and 100+ lenders are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score, the more competitive the product.
Calculator Assumptions: The above calculations are worked out assuming you’re paying off a principal and interest loan where the interest rate remains the same over the life of the loan. The repayment amounts do not take into account any additional fees or charges that may be charged to your loan (e.g. application fees).
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculator, the results should be used as indication only. They are neither a quote nor a pre-qualification for a loan.
Example car loan repayment calculation
You are looking to buy a $25,000 car. It's a new car and you're planning to borrow the entire amount with a secured car loan. You find a loan with an interest rate of 7%.
You enter your loan amount and interest rate into the calculator and choose a 3-year loan term. You get the following results:
Monthly repayment = $772
Total loan cost over 3 years = $27,790
Car loan repayments comparison: example total repayment amount
We've run some simple calculations based on example car loans. This illustrates how your loan amount, loan term and the interest rate affect your loan repayments.
How the interest rate affects your car loan repayments
These 3 loans are identical except for the interest rate.
Details
Loan 1
Loan 2
Loan 3
Loan amount
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
Interest rate
7%
9%
12%
Loan term
5 years
5 years
5 years
Monthly repayments
$595
$623
$668
Total cost
$35,643
$37,366
$40,041
How the loan term affects your car loan repayments
These 3 loans are identical except for the loan term.
Details
Loan 1
Loan 2
Loan 3
Loan amount
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
Interest rate
9%
9%
9%
Loan term
3 years
5 years
7 years
Monthly repayments
$954
$623
$483
Total cost
$34,344
$37,366
$40,545
Average car loan interest rate trend (updated July 2025)
Calculate your car loan repayments using actual car loan rates
For a simple way to calculate your repayments with real life car loans, just enter a loan amount and loan term in the table below. You can see monthly repayments for each loan in the last column on the right.
5 tips to reduce your car loan repayments
Find a car loan with a lower interest rate. The lower the interest rate, the less interest you pay.
Watch out for fees. Some lenders charge a one-off application fee and a smaller monthly fee.
Adjust your loan term to suit your needs. A shorter loan term means your monthly repayments are higher but you pay less interest overall. A longer loan term means smaller monthly repayments. But because you'll have the loan for a longer time you end up paying more interest.
Make extra repayments. If a car loan lets you make extra repayments you can pay it off early and reduce your overall costs.
Improve your credit score. You can get a lower interest rate if you have a better credit score.
Hidden costs that can make your car loan more expensive
Early exit fees
Some lenders let you make extra repayments. But some actually charge you a fee for paying off the loan early. This is more common on fixed rate car loans.
You can check a loan's exit or early repayment fees before you apply.
Balloon payments
Some lenders offer car loans with a balloon payment structure. This just means that your monthly repayments throughout the loan will be lower. But at the end of the loan term you'll have to pay off a large lump sum to fully pay off the loan.
This can be a nasty surprise if you don't understand how the balloon payment works.
The cost of owning a car goes beyond your loan repayments
Sure, a car loan calculator tells you your monthly repayments - but that's only part of the story. To properly budget for a new set of wheels, it's worth looking at the real cost of owning the car over time.
When you're using the calculator above, it's a great idea to factor in the following ongoing costs alongside your repayments:
Fuel and running costs
Even the most efficient car needs fuel or electricity. According to the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), average fuel costs can range from $50 to over $100 per week, depending on what and how you drive. Add that to your monthly car budget.
Insurance
Car insurance premiums vary based on your age, driving history, car type and even postcode. On average, Australians pay anywhere from $600 to $1,500 per year for comprehensive cover. That's another monthly cost to keep in mind while assessing repayments.
Registration and CTP
You'll need to register your car and keep up your Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance. This can cost several hundred dollars per year and is usually due annually - plan ahead so it doesn't sneak up on you.
4. Servicing and maintenance
All cars require servicing - whether it's every 10,000km or annually. Basic services start at a few hundred dollars but unexpected repairs or tyre replacements can blow out your budget. It's smart to set aside a maintenance buffer.
Frequently asked questions
There may be other fees associated with the loan that you will need to discuss with the bank or broker. These could include transaction or activation fees, as well as exit fees.
This calculator assumes that there are 12 months, 26 fortnights and 52 weeks in the year. To work out weekly or fortnightly repayments, your total yearly repayment amount would be divided by the appropriate number that matches the terms that you chose.
Even a short-term car loan is a big financial commitment to make. The calculator will give you a better idea of exactly how much money over the life of the loan you are going to be paying along with the repayment amount.
Before getting a car loan it's important to work out how much you can comfortably afford to borrow. A car loan calculator can help with that by letting you estimate your loan repayments based on different loan sizes.
You should work out your budget. Consider your income and expenses to work out how much you can afford to repay each month.
Some lenders offer car loans with maximum loan amounts of $100,000 or even higher. These are typically for new cars only. Keep in mind that larger car loans will be much more expensive even if you get a secured, new car loan.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Rebecca Pike as part of our fact-checking process.
Richard Whitten is Finder’s Money Editor, with over seven years of experience in home loans, property and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio
Richard's expertise
Richard has written 637 Finder guides across topics including:
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