How much will my bad credit car loan cost?
Just like a standard car loan, bad credit loans use the vehicle you’re purchasing as collateral for the loan and are repaid in regular instalments. However, because of the increased risk associated with borrowers who’ve struggled with their credit, the interest and fees you’ll be required to pay will typically be higher than on a loan for someone with good credit. Additionally, the amount you can borrow and terms you can access may be more limited.
There’s a range of factors that can impact the cost of your bad credit car loan, such as:
Interest rates and loan amount
As mentioned, rates will be higher on bad credit loans compared to other car loans. Rates on car finance for bad credit customers can be secured for as low as 10.00% p.a., but also go as high as 25.00% p.a.
Because interest is calculated based on your outstanding loan balance, greater sums will result in higher overall interest outlays. The following table shows how both higher rates and larger loans can make a big difference to your monthly repayments:
| Loan size | 15.00% p.a. | 17.00% p.a. | 19.00% p.a. | 21.00% p.a. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $357 | $373 | $389 | $406 |
| $20,000 | $476 | $497 | $519 | $541 |
| $25,000 | $595 | $621 | $649 | $676 |
| $30,000 | $714 | $746 | $778 | $812 |
| $35,000 | $833 | $870 | $908 | $947 |
| $40,000 | $952 | $994 | $1,038 | $1,082 |
| Calculations based on a five-year loan repaid monthly. | ||||
As you can see, on a $35,000, five-year car loan, jumping from 19.00% p.a. to 21.00% p.a. would result in a monthly increase of around $40. Rates are usually fixed on car loans, though some lenders may offer variable interest rates.
Over the last 12 months, the average loan amount approved for bad credit customers through Savvy was $24,321. This means that, on average, bad credit customers borrowed $11,679 less compared to all car loan customers.
Fees
There are several fees that can be charged on your loan. These include:
- Establishment fee: a one-off fee built into your repayments which can cost up to $400 to $600.
- Monthly fees: an ongoing charge included on each repayment which can range from nothing to $15 or more.
- Early repayment fees: these may be charged if you pay out your loan ahead of schedule, with the cost depending on the size of your loan and the time left to run on your term.
- Late payment fees: these may be charged if you submit a payment late or miss it altogether. They can be costly if they stack up.
Loan term
One of the most significant variables when it comes to the amount of interest you’ll pay is the length of your loan term. It’s simple: the longer your loan term, the more interest you’ll be charged overall. The following table demonstrates this:
| Loan term | Monthly repayments | Total interest | Total saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 years | $463 | $14,902 | N/A |
| 6 years | $507 | $12,539 | $2,363 |
| 5 years | $571 | $10,258 | $4,644 |
| 4 years | $668 | $8,061 | $6,841 |
| Calculations based on a $24,000 car loan repaid monthly with a 15.00% p.a. interest rate. | |||
While a longer term makes your monthly car repayment more affordable, you’ll pay more in the long term. By shortening your term from seven years to six for the loan example listed above, you’ll only be required to pay just $44 extra per month (or around $11 extra per week) in return for a saving of more than $2,300.
Extra repayments
If you’re able to make free additional repayments and not pay early termination fees, you could end up paying off your loan much sooner and for a lower cost. This follows the same logic for shorter loan terms, which you can see here:
| Loan term | Extra payment | Total monthly payment | Total interest | Total saving | Total loan term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | $0 | $571 | $10,258 | N/A | 5 years |
| 5 years | $50 | $621 | $8,990 | $1,268 | 4 years, 6 months |
| 5 years | $100 | $671 | $8,009 | $2,249 | 4 years |
| Calculations based on a $24,000 car loan repaid monthly with a 15.00% p.a. interest rate. | |||||
By paying just $50 extra per month (or around $13 extra per week), you’d clear your debt six months sooner and save over $1,250 on a loan with the terms included above. Plus, making higher repayments could save you even more.
Why apply for a car loan with Savvy?
Tips to improve your bad credit application
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Demonstrate stable income
Lenders want to see that you’re earning a reliable income, whether that's from your job, self-employment or eligible Centrelink payments, that’s sufficient to cover your car loan repayments. This reassures them that you can safely pay off your loan. There may be bad credit car loan options available even if you’re a low income earner. If you’re casually employed, you’ll need to show a record of stable, consistent hours and income to maximise your approval chances.
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Put down a deposit
While putting a deposit down for a car loan is less common, doing so will reduce the interest you have to pay. This is because it reduces the size of your loan, therefore lowering the amount you’re paying interest on. Even a small deposit can make a significant difference to the interest you pay overall, as you can see here:
Deposit Loan amount Monthly repayment Total interest Total saving $0 $24,000 $571 $10,257 N/A $1,500 $22,500 $535 $9,616 $641 $4,000 $20,000 $476 $8,548 $1,710 Calculations based on a car loan repaid monthly over five years with a 15.00% p.a. interest rate. The other important thing to note here is that some lenders will be willing to reward those who pay a deposit with a lower car loan interest rate. That means it can help you save on interest even more. Depending on your financial profile, there may be situations where you’re required to pay a deposit of between 10% and 20% as a condition of approval, though a deposit isn’t always mandatory.
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Only apply for what you can afford
Buying a cheaper car and applying for a smaller loan amount that comfortably fits your budget will often increase your chances of approval. Doing so keeps your repayments manageable and reduces the lender’s risk.
For instance, if you suspect you have bad credit and are earning $60,000 per year, a five-year, $50,000 car loan at 18.00% p.a. would come with weekly repayments of $1,270 and therefore wouldn’t be approved. Lenders will deduct monthly living expenses plus your mortgage or rent repayments during the assessment process. If that leaves you with little to no money, you aren't likely to be approved for the loan.
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Improve your credit score
Even small improvements to your credit score can make a difference to the size and rate of the car loan you’re eligible for. Paying bills on time, reducing outstanding debts and checking your credit report for errors can all help boost your score and your chances of approval.
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Find the right lender
Not all lenders treat bad credit the same way. Working with a car loan broker like Savvy can connect you with specialist lenders that offer car finance options suited to your financial situation and potentially help you secure a more affordable deal.
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Use a co-borrower or guarantor
Having a co-borrower like your partner or a guarantor on your car loan (someone with a stronger financial profile who agrees to back up your loan) can strengthen your application and improve your chances of approval.
Having two incomes to rely upon instead of one will give lenders more confidence that the debt will be paid, as the financial burden is reduced on each person. A guarantor reduces the lender’s risk, which can make it easier to secure finance even with a poor credit history.
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Pay off debts and close any unnecessary lines of credit
The less debt on your plate when you apply for your loan, the more likely you are to be approved. This means clearing outstanding debts, including those that you’re behind on, and reducing your credit card limits. If you have credit cards or other lines of credit that you don’t use, they’re actively impacting your borrowing power. Closing them will boost your approval chances.
Critical pitfalls that destroy your chances
"Critical pitfalls that will destroy your car loan application are wage advance and payday loans, excessive gambling, poor bank account conduct and recent unaddressed defaults. Rushing into applications with these issues active virtually guarantees rejection and further credit score damage. A skilled broker can assess your profile honestly and identify which issues need addressing before applying and risking rejection."
How to apply for a bad credit car loan with Savvy
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Complete our form
Apply online and tick the credit box that fits your situation.
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Send through your documents
Submit any necessary files to verify your income and identity.
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Speak to your broker
We’ll call you to discuss your bad credit car loan options.
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Pick your car
If you haven’t found your car yet, we can help.
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Apply and receive approval
We’ll prepare your formal application and let you know when it’s approved.
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Sign off and get your car
Once everything is signed and settled, the car is yours!
Car dealerships and bad credit
An alternative option to comparing car loan deals online is to purchase your vehicle at a dealership and take out finance through them. However, while this might seem convenient, there are a few things to keep in mind when financing a car through a dealership when you have bad credit:
- Watch out for steep balloon payments: a balloon or residual payment is a lump sum payment to be made at the end of your car loan. A car loan through a dealership may appear cheap month-to-month, but have an unaffordable balloon payment attached at the end that you need to fork out tens of thousands of dollars for.
- Keep an eye on added extras: car dealership representatives will often suggest optional extras like add-on insurance. Consider these carefully and evaluate whether you want the cover or if it’s worthwhile.
- Consider where you’d be if the car breaks down: if you’re buying a used car that isn’t covered by a manufacturer warranty, you’ll still be covered by a short dealer warranty. However, if it breaks down outside both, think about whether you’ll be able to manage a high interest loan on a long term without a working car.
Another important factor to keep in mind is depreciation. Your car’s value will decrease over time, meaning the balloon you’re signed up to pay at the end of your loan could be substantially higher than the vehicle’s sale price.
For example, you could get a $35,000 loan for a new car taken out over five years with a 45% balloon payment ($15,750) from a dealership. However, if the car is only worth 40% of the original price after five years ($14,000), you’d have to pay $1,750 out of pocket if you wanted to sell the car and cover the balloon.
It’s worth noting that in the first six months of 2025, 529,573 used cars were sold through dealerships, according to the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA). In comparison, 604,417 were sold by private sellers, meaning dealerships accounted for 46.7% of all used car sales in Australia over that period. That’s a significant increase on the 36.5% seen between January and June of 2024.
The median age of cars financed by bad credit customers through Savvy in the 2024-25 financial year was eight years, compared to the median of five years across all car loans. It’s clear that used is the most popular choice among this group.
The benefits of applying for a bad credit car loan with a broker
Brokers can be very beneficial when it comes to dealing with bad credit applications for a number of reasons. Firstly, a good broker will have a wide and diverse panel of lenders, which gives them more options to choose from to accommodate your profile and needs.
Secondly, by taking a deep dive into your credit file, they can identify exactly where the issues lie and provide guidance on the best course of action. This can include advising you on any debts or defaults that need to be addressed before the application can proceed.
When you speak with an expert Savvy car finance broker, they’ll do a soft-touch credit check (which doesn’t impact your score) and they’ll explain the options available for your situation.
Can I refinance my car loan with bad credit?
You may be able to refinance your car loan deal if you have bad credit. There are several situations where you might look to refinance, such as if your credit score and finances have improved, you need to adjust your loan term or amount or you want to remove a co-borrower or guarantor.
However, if you’re removing a co-borrower or guarantor and your credit hasn’t improved, you risk being hit with a higher interest rate and potentially steep exit fees for your current loan and setup fees for your new one. The decision may be taken out of your hands, though, if you can’t show lenders that you’ve been able to do each of the following:
- You’ve consistently made repayments on time and in full
- You’ve decreased or eliminated other bad debts
- You’ve continued to have stability in your life, such as employment, income and residential history
