Should I refinance or pay my novated lease balloon payment?

Understanding what to do at the end of your novated lease.

Novated leases can be complicated products, but they offer a convenient way for you to finance a vehicle through your pre-tax salary. When it comes to the end of your novated lease term, you may find yourself with a balloon payment and the question of whether to refinance that payment or take out another lease. We show you how to work out the right option for you.

What happens at the end of a novated lease?

This depends on the type of novated lease you choose.

  • Novated operating lease. You return the vehicle for inspection at the end of the lease.
  • Novated finance lease. If the value of the vehicle is less than the residual value, you will be responsible for the shortfall. This results in a balloon payment.

What options do you have?

If you end your novated lease term and you’re left with a balloon payment due to the vehicle being valued at less than the residual value, you have a few avenues you can take. If you’ve saved over the course of your loan term, you can pay the balloon payment in full. If you haven’t saved, you can choose to take out a personal loan to cover the balloon payment, essentially “refinancing” your novated lease. You can also choose to take out another novated lease.

Should you refinance your balloon payment or take out another novated lease?

There is no one answer for this, as it depends on a multitude of factors. By taking these factors into consideration, you can work out which option will be better for your situation:

  • How much is your balloon payment? The amount you have to refinance will affect whether it’s worth refinancing or not.
  • How long are you planning to keep your vehicle for? The length of time you’re planning to keep your car also needs to be thought about. You should consider the age of the vehicle, the amount of the balloon payment and whether it can be repaid in that time.
  • Are you happy with your current vehicle? If you take out another lease, you will be able to get a new vehicle. However, you may want to keep your current vehicle. This is another factor to consider.

Make use of the tools available to you

When deciding whether or not to refinance, you can use finder.com.au’s tools to help make a better informed decision.

Deciding whether or not to refinance your novated lease balloon payment doesn’t have to be a complicated decision. With the right tools at your fingertips, you can make the right choice for your needs.

Compare refinancing options now

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1 - 11 of 11
Name Interest Rate (p.a.) Comp. Rate (p.a.) Application Fee Monthly Fee Monthly Repayment
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.)
7.36%
to 8.5%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$630.83
Go to siteMore Info
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
Go to siteMore Info
You'll receive a fixed rate of 6.24% p.a.
A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one that's up to two years old.
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
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
You'll receive a fixed rate from 6.52% p.a. depending on the lender you are approved with.
Apply for up to $300,000 and use cash or trade in a vehicle to use as a deposit. Optional balloon payment available.
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.
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
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.
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.)
8.5%
to 8.64%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$641.54
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.
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 - 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.)
8.7%
to 10.04%
Application Fee
$400
Monthly Fee
$8
Monthly Repayment
$643.41
Go to siteMore Info
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Elizabeth Barry was the lead editor for Finder. She has over 10 years' experience writing about a range of topics with a focus on personal finance. You’ll find her writing and commentary in a range of publications and media including Seven News, the ABC, MSN, the Irish Times and Singapore Business Review. See full bio

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    LoraineApril 28, 2018

    I had a novated lease over 5 years that has just finished. At the end of the lease I was reimbursed $12,000, which my pay office taxed. Is the reimbursed amount part of my taxable income for the Year?

      AvatarFinder
      JeniApril 29, 2018Finder

      Hi Loraine,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      The reimbursed amount should not be part of your taxable income since you’ve mentioned that your office has been taxed for the novated lease. You may want to review ATO’s guide on types of income you need to declare.

      In addition, ATO’s full or split full novation guide will help you know more about GST and vehicles purchased under novated leases.

      I hope this helps.

      Have a great day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

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