Compare car loans for students

How does a student car loan work?

A student car loan is like any other car loan. It's a financing option that lets you purchase a new or used vehicle. You borrow money to cover the purchase of the car, then repay the loan over a set period of time, generally one to seven years. You are charged interest on the loan, and this is added to your regular repayments.

You'll have 3 options to choose from when it comes to financing your car as a student:

• Secured
• Unsecured
• Dealer finance

A secured car loan means the vehicle you're buying is used as security against the loan. So, if you can't make your repayments, the lender can repossess the loan to make back the costs.

Although most car loans are secured, you can also get an unsecured car loan where there is no risk to your car. However, because this raises the risk for the lender, you'll end up with higher interest rates.

If you're buying a car at a dealership, you might be offered finance through the dealer. This often comes with competitive interest rates, but you may be required to pay a balloon payment at the end. A balloon payment is a large payment at the end of your finance term. For example, you might want to buy a car for $30,000, but by paying a payment of $5,000 at the end you'll only pay interest on $25,000.

Am I eligible for a student car loan?

As a student, you're able to get a car loan provided you meet the lender's eligibility requirements. This means you'll generally need to be at least 18 years old, an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have a job or regular source of income.

Some lenders may have additional lending criteria and will generally not lend money to applicants whose primary source of income is Austudy, Youth Allowance or Newstart.

Finder survey: How do people finance their new car?

How to compare student car loans

You should keep the following in mind when comparing student car loans:

• • The interest rate. The interest rate determines the amount of interest you will pay on your loan. The lower the rate, the less interest you will pay. Car loans can be offered with either a fixed rate, which stays the same throughout the loan, or a variable rate, which changes in line with market rates. Secured car loan rates generally range from 6% to 10%, and unsecured car loans generally range from 8.5% to 17%.
  • Any fees or charges. Many car loans will have additional fees or charges that you will need to pay as part of the loan. You should check which fees you may need to pay before applying for a loan, as these will affect your comparison rate, which helps show you the true cost of the loan.
  • Repayment flexibility. Some lenders will let you select how often you make repayments, which is generally on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. You may also be able to make early repayments or repay the loan early, without penalty.
  • Additional features. These may include a redraw facility for additional repayments, pre-approval, online account management, a car-buying service to help you find your car or discounts on other products and services.

Tips for getting a student car loan

If you're a student, you may be working part time or casually, have a lower income and have a limited credit history, which can make it difficult to get a car loan.

So, here are some tips to help improve your chances of getting approved for a car loan!

• • 1. Build your credit history. So you don't have a good credit score now, that doesn't mean you can't have one. If you don't know your credit history, you can order a free copy here.
    2. Save for a deposit. You don't necessarily need a deposit to get a car loan, but it can give you a better chance of being approved. If you don't have any credit history, have a bad credit history or have negative equity on your existing car, you may be required to provide a deposit.
    3. Use a guarantor or co-borrower. A guarantor is generally a parent or other relative and they take on the legal and financial responsibility of the loan if you fail to make your repayments. It may give you a better chance of approval for a loan as it reduces the lender risk. However, you should make every effort to make your repayments, so your guarantor is never held responsible for the debt. You can also find a co-borrower to take out a joint personal loan, where you're both responsible for repaying the debt.

How to apply for a student car loan

Once you've chosen the car you want to buy, you'll need to find the car loan that best suits your needs. It's important to understand your loan options, and what you'll need to do to give yourself the best chance of being approved.

1. Compare your loan options.

You'll need to choose whether you want a secured or unsecured car loan and a fixed or variable interest rate. You should also compare a number of loans based on the rate, fees and features they offer. You might also think about a peer-to-peer loan.

2. Check the eligibility criteria.

You should ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for a specific loan. If you don't, you're likely to be rejected, which can affect your credit score. Lenders usually require you to be over 18, have a regular income and have some form of employment to be eligible for a car loan.

3. Have your documents ready.

As part of your application, you will need to provide a form of ID, payslips and information regarding your employment and finances (income, expenses and debts). If you've chosen your car, you will need to submit the make, model and year, the VIN/chassis number, registration number and purchase price.

4. Submit your application.

Depending on the lender, you may receive a response within a couple of minutes. Other lenders may take a few days to review your application and approve or deny your loan.

What criteria do car lenders have for used cars?

If you're looking to get a car loan for a used car, you need to check that the car meets the age requirements of the specific lender.

Read our guide to buying a used car

Written by

Matt Corke

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