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Guides & insights

Straight answers on car finance.

No jargon, no sales spin. Just honest, plain-English guides to getting a car loan in New Zealand, whatever your situation.

Start here
9 Jul 2026

The complete guide to car finance in NZ

How it works, dealer vs bank vs broker, rates, and exactly what you need to apply. The one guide to read first.

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Loan types
16 Jul 2026

Secured vs unsecured car loan

The car as security or not? How the two loan types differ, how rates compare, and which suits your situation.

Rates explained
16 Jul 2026

Car finance interest rates explained

How rates work and what actually drives yours: credit, deposit, term, car age, secured vs unsecured, and the lender.

Credit score
16 Jul 2026

What credit score do you need?

No hard cutoff. What a score is, how lenders really use it, and why finance is possible across the range.

Budgeting
16 Jul 2026

What it really costs to own a car

Beyond the repayment: rego, WoF, insurance, fuel, servicing, tyres and depreciation. Budget for the real number.

Buyer safety
16 Jul 2026

Do a PPSR check before you buy

Buying used? A PPSR check tells you if money's still owing, which means the car can be repossessed after you've paid. How to check.

Pre-approval
16 Jul 2026

Get pre-approved before you shop

Know your budget and negotiate like a cash buyer. What pre-approval is, how long it lasts, and if it hurts your credit.

Private sale
16 Jul 2026

Finance a car from a private seller

Buying off TradeMe or Marketplace? Yes you can finance it. Why the PPSR check matters, and what to watch for.

Applying together
16 Jul 2026

Joint and guarantor car finance

The honest difference, when each helps, and the real legal risk a guarantor takes on. Read before you ask.

Hardship
16 Jul 2026

Struggling to pay your car loan?

Falling behind? Your hardship rights, where to get free help, and every option laid out plainly.

Credit
16 Jul 2026

Does applying hurt your credit?

Soft vs hard checks, why multiple applications sting, and how to shop around safely.

Paying off
15 Jul 2026

Pay off your car loan early

Can you clear it early in NZ? Usually yes. Break fees to check, whether it's worth it, and how.

Work visa
14 Jul 2026

Car finance on a work visa

Can you get a car loan on a work visa? Usually yes. What lenders check and how to improve your odds.

Income
12 Jul 2026

Minimum income for car finance

How much do you need to earn? There's no fixed minimum. It's about affordability.

Bad credit
2 Jul 2026

Bad credit car finance

What counts as bad credit, how it affects your rate, and how to get a fair deal.

Compare
28 Jun 2026

Dealer finance vs broker vs bank

An honest comparison of what each really costs and when each makes sense.

Situation
22 Jun 2026

Self-employed car loans

How to prove your income and get a fair rate without payslips.

Approval
17 Jun 2026

How to improve your approval odds

The practical things that move the needle on an application, in order of impact.

Second chance
11 Jun 2026

Car finance on a benefit or WINZ

Every option, cheapest first, including WINZ advances and no-interest loans.

Situation
5 Jun 2026

No deposit car finance

How 100% finance really works, the trade-offs, and when it makes sense.

Bad credit
29 May 2026

Car finance after bankruptcy

Bankruptcy vs No Asset Procedure, the timelines, and what's actually possible.

Checklist
23 May 2026

What you need to apply

The simple checklist: ID, income, address and the car details.

Situation
18 May 2026

First car finance

Getting your first car with little or no credit history.

Add-ons
12 May 2026

Is mechanical breakdown insurance worth it?

When MBI is worth it, when it isn't, and why financing it costs more.

Rather just see your rate?

One application, one soft credit check, no obligation.