Car Loans

At Moneywise, we pride ourselves on offering our members a fair, affordable car loan to prevent people from using high-cost lenders.

For many people, a car is a non-negotiable part of everyday life. Whether you need it for work, personal use or both, owning a car is a substantial but essential expense.

We strive to offer our members the best possible borrowing conditions, so you can borrow sustainably and build responsible financial habits.

What is a car loan?

Cars can go from perfectly reliable vehicles to non-functioning almost instantly. All it takes is a collision or faulty mechanism to leave you car-less without warning. If a car is a key part of your daily life, this can be hugely disruptive, particularly if you do not have any savings to help with the purchase of a new car.

A car loan is a dedicated loan, in which you borrow some – or all – of the money you need to buy a car. If you’re struggling to pull together the upfront cost for a new car, or to upgrade your existing model, we can help.

How do car loans work?

Our car loans are designed to remove the stress of paying costly upfront sums, enabling you to spread the cost of your new car across a more manageable timeframe.

By taking out a car loan from Moneywise, you can spread the cost of this important expense and pay in manageable instalments over a longer period of time. It’s that simple!

Why should I choose Moneywise for my car loan?

  • We’re a non-profit, so we keep our interest rates as low as possible
  • We have competitive loan rates, so you can repay responsibly
  • Because we’re members-only, we offer a safe way to build your credit history

An example of a Moneywise car loan might look like:

You borrow: £300 loan

You pay back: £6.90/week over 52 weeks

Total repayable: £357.24

Cost of credit: £57.24

Fixed interest rate of 36% – APR 42.58%.

How to apply for a car loan

  1. Click the button below to apply
  2. Fill in your details as accurately as possible
  3. Submit the form
  4. One of the Moneywise team will be in touch as soon as possible to confirm whether you have been successful

At Moneywise, your previous loan history with us will determine the amount that you’ll be able to borrow. Members who have previously taken out a loan with us and repaid it in line with our agreed repayment dates and amounts will be able to borrow larger figures.

To apply for a Moneywise car loan, you must:

  • Be aged over 18
  • Agree to Moneywise Credit Union rules

More information on our permitted borrowing amounts and APR%s for starter loans, flexi loans and loyalty loans can be found here.

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Frequently asked questions

What factors do you consider when you assess applications?

Here at Moneywise, our team considers multiple factors before approving loan applications.

A. Is it affordable?

The first thing we consider is – is it affordable? We want to make sure that if we’re taking repayments for a loan, you’ll be able to keep up with this loan and your other commitments.

B. Is it realistic?

Next, we’ll consider if the loan repayment schemes are realistic. We do this by checking if you’re up to date with your rent or mortgage. We also look whether or not you’re making repayments for utilities and council tax. If these payments are up to date, we’ll see if you have enough disposable income to cover these – plus our loan repayment on top.

If your bank statements show low balances, for example, we will assess the situation further. This helps us understand if all your spending is necessary. If you’re spending lots of money on takeaways for example, we may suggest a change in spending habits to ensure you’re able to make repayments.

C. Is your credit check acceptable?

If we’re happy that the loan is affordable and realistic, we may also need to run a credit check on some of our loan products. We’ll check the credit report to see if there are any active CCJs. If so, are they recent and are you repaying them?

We’ll continue to look over your current and previous credit accounts. This will make sure that each statement is up to date and you’re making regular repayments.

Interest rates vary! Most loans are set at a 3% interest rate (42.60% APR). This is for new and existing members, and family loans will always be set at this rate. We offer payroll members loans with a 2% interest rate. We might also offer lower interest rates due to length of membership, the amount of savings you hold with us and if we’ve offered a secured loan.

If you’re worried about repaying your loan on time, contact our team as soon as possible.

It depends on your situation. If this is a short-term issue where one or two payments are going to be missed, we may be able to cover these from savings already held with us. If not, an agreement can be made with our credit control department to either temporarily reduce payments, or for the payments to be made at a later date.

In cases where this is a long-term issue, you’d be able to discuss your best options with our credit control department. The team will help you come to an agreement about how to pay going forward.

If your application is successful, our team will help you set up the details and repayments of your account. You’ll also be provided with information on how to access your savings, keep track of your loan balance and, if you request it, offers and advice on topping up.

If your application is unsuccessful, we’ll provide you with information on setting up a savings account. Our team will also offer guidance on any other financial assistance we are aware of that may be available at the time. Finally, we also provide details of other support services, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, that may be able to help you.

There are multiple reasons why your application may have been declined:

  • if you currently have an active individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), debt relief order (DRO) or are bankrupt
  • if it is not affordable for you to make the repayments (see above)
  • if you have recently missed repayments on an existing loan with us
  • if there is a decline in your credit report

To find out more, contact a member of our team and we’ll explain your circumstances.

Yes. Whether you’re in full-time employment or in receipt of benefits, anyone is eligible to apply for a Moneywise loan if you meet our requirements, including living or working in the North East.

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