Car finance requirements: what you need

Work car for the business or a car for the family? What lenders want depends on who’s buying, so settle that first.

Buying through the business

We just need:

The driver’s licence of the business’s director
Your ABN
What you’re buying (a rough age, make and model is plenty)
Why you’re buying it: a run-around, a second work car, replacing something older

Buying personally

Lenders will typically want:

Your driver’s licence
Proof of income (recent payslips are easiest)
A basic picture of your regular expenses, so the lender can see the loan is comfortably affordable

Every lender weighs these differently. We match you to one that fits, not the one asking for the most paperwork.

Private sale? We do the legwork

Finance works for new and used cars, from a dealer or a private seller. An older or high-kilometre car can narrow the lender list, so mention it upfront.

Private sales need inspections and valuations, and we handle those. We also deal with the seller directly, chase their documents and generate the tax invoice, so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.

Which kind of loan?

A business usually buys on a chattel mortgage, sometimes with a balloon payment to lower the repayments. Buying personally usually means a consumer car loan. For business purchases, ask your accountant about tax, and read our luxury car tax guide before buying anything expensive.

Find your borrowing power, free

Asking us to assess your profile costs nothing and doesn’t affect your credit file. You could be eligible for up to $150k without knowing it.

We take your deal to our panel of 40+ lenders, whether it’s a work car for the business or a car for you. Try the car finance calculator, get a quote or call 1800 958 510.

Common questions

Do lenders ask for bank statements?

Often, especially for personal car loans, though for some business car loans an ABN and ID are enough to start. Our clean bank statements guide shows what lenders look for.

Can I get a car loan if I’m self-employed?

Yes. You usually apply through your ABN, some lenders offer low-doc options, and a newer ABN isn’t a dead end: see new vs established business finance.

Can I get car finance with bad credit?

It’s possible, but options narrow and the cost usually goes up. We check your file without leaving a mark and aim for the right lender first time; our credit score guide covers what helps meanwhile.

Is car finance worth it?

It is when spreading the cost keeps cash free for better uses and the repayment sits comfortably in your budget. If you’d be stretching to make the repayments, it isn’t.