Calculate your car loan repayments



Powered by:
Powered by savings image Savings.com.au
Savings.com.au Pty Ltd ACN 161 358 363 | Australian Financial Services Licence and Australian Credit Licence 515843

Calculator Assumptions: Car Loan Calculator

The figures provided should be used as an estimate only, should not be relied on as true indication of your car loan repayments, or a quote or indication of pre-qualification for any car loan product. The figures are based upon the information you put into the calculator. We have made a number of assumptions when producing the calculations including:

  • Loan term, vehicle purchase price, and loan amount: We assume the loan term, vehicle purchase price, and loan amount are what you enter into the calculator.
  • Interest rates: We assume that the rate you enter, is the rate that will apply to your loan for the full loan term.
  • Interest and repayments: The displayed total interest payable is the interest for the loan term, calculated on the entered interest rate.
  • Payable over 3/4/5 years figure excludes any balloon payment

How to Choose a Car Loan Deal

When checking the market for a new car, dealers will present you different car loan terms. To help you separate and pinpoint the best deal, here are some pointers to consider when choosing a car loan deal:

Low Comparison Rates

When deciding on which car loan to choose, it’s important to use the loan's comparison rates as they are a more accurate indication of the total loan cost.

Remember that comparison rates are there to help buyers understand the overall cost of a loan as they show true cost of the loan including the interest and any fees.

A loan with a low interest rate may not always end up being the cheapest option. Sometimes low interest car loans can have high upfront fees and ongoing costs, which would be indicated in the comparison rate. This is why it's important to use the comparison rate when comparing the overall cost of different car loans.

Low Interest Rates

A low interest rate is another indicator of a good car loan deal. The actual interest rate can affect how large your monthly repayments will be, as well as the overall price of your loan.

You can check the current interest rates on the market online to see the best deals available, and this can help you find a lender that suits your preferences.

Extra Loan Features

There are many car loan lenders that offer loans with extra features to sweeten the deal. Some of these features could include:

  • Pre-approval - helps speed up the loan application process and can give you an idea of how much you can borrow from a lender

  • Additional repayments - extra payments can help you pay your loan off faster

  • Flexible repayment schedule - some lenders will allow you to switch between a weekly, fortnightly and monthly schedule depending on your needs

  • Balloon payment - a large lump sum payment at the end of the loan, making monthly repayments more affordable

Car Loan Calculator FAQs

The formula for calculating car loan interest is:

Monthly interest charged = (outstanding balance x interest rate) / 12

0% car loans allow you to pay back only the loan amount you have borrowed, without being charged any interest. Sometimes, 0% would only be available for a limited time such as for a promotional period and then will revert to a higher interest rate.

0% car loans may not actually mean you save any money compared to a normal car loan. You may be charged with a higher vehicle price and other fees that can significantly increase your repayments.

The most common types of car loans are:

  • Secured car loans - this means your lender has the legal right to repossess the vehicle if you fall behind on repayments
  • Commercial hire auto loans - a financer purchases the car and hires it to the consumer over a set period, and once all payments are complete the vehicle will be transferred to the consumer
  • Finance Leasing - a financer purchases the car then leases it to the consumer giving an immediate use of it
  • Unsecured car loans - this is a loan with no collateral, meaning if you default on loan repayments, the lender cannot repossess the car you purchased

*Comparison rates based on a loan of $30,000 for a five-year loan term. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of 21 November 2024.

Powered by:
Powered by savings image Savings.com.au
Savings.com.au Pty Ltd ACN 161 358 363 | Australian Financial Services Licence and Australian Credit Licence 515843