Couple checking on laptop if they're eligible for car finance

Car finance eligibility checker

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    Get an online decision in minutes
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    No impact on your credit score
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    Find out how much you can borrow

Zuto is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 10.6% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances. Representative Example: Borrowing £8,000 over 60 months with a representative APR of 20.9% the amount payable would be £208 a month, with a total cost of credit of £4,486 and a total amount payable of £12,486.

Find out if you’re eligible for car finance with our soft check

It takes just minutes to use Zuto’s car finance eligibility checker. All you need to do is apply for a quote and we’ll let you know if you’re eligible and, if you are, how much you should be able to borrow. We do this with a soft check which lets you know what deals you might be eligible for, all without affecting your credit score.

How our car finance eligibility checker works

Our car finance eligibility checker takes your current financial circumstances and personal details into account to determine how much you’re able to borrow when buying a new or used car. Factors considered include:

  • Your budget and the price of the car you want to buy
  • Whether you have a deposit
  • Your employment details and income
  • Your current credit score and creditworthiness

Applying for a quote through our finance eligibility checker has no impact on your credit rating, as we only conduct a soft search at this stage, to give you an idea of your affordability.

Car finance calculator

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How applying with Zuto works

At Zuto, we like to make the car finance application process quick and simple. We’re a broker, so when you apply for car finance with us, we’ll search our large panel of lenders and find offers to suit your requirements.

  • Apply for a quote – we’ll need a few details, such as the type of vehicle you’re looking for, how much you’d like to borrow and some basic personal details.
  • We’ll check with our lenders – we’ll then run your details past our large panel of lenders. Our soft credit check won’t impact your credit score.
  • If you’re eligible, take your pick – if you are eligible, our team will call to talk you through your quotes. Once you’ve chosen to proceed, a hard search will be done, but we’ll let you know of this before it happens.

Am I eligible for car finance?

At Zuto, we appreciate that there can be potential concerns when it comes to car loan eligibility, such as:

  • Negative equity car finance – this is when the amount you’re paying for your car is more than it’s worth. This can be a challenge if you want to trade in your car for a different one.
  • Poor credit car finance – a poor credit rating can make passing a car finance eligibility check a little more complicated, but we often help customers with poor and bad credit.
  • No deposit car finance – deposits can help improve your car loan eligibility, but they’re not always necessary and we work with lenders who offer no deposit car finance.

We work with our panel of lenders to find an agreement that suits your requirements, whatever your circumstances. Please contact us if you’re concerned about having any of the above or your car finance eligibility in general.

Find out how much you can borrow.

How to improve your chances of being eligible for car finance

Improving your chances of being eligible for car finance starts with understanding your financial situation and taking steps to enhance your creditworthiness. If you're uncertain about your eligibility and worried about harming your credit score, there are several methods you can implement to increase your chances of securing better car finance deals without negatively impacting your credit.

Firstly, assess your credit score so you can identify areas that need improvement. There may be errors on there to correct, while paying your bills on time can help your credit score too.

Secondly, a larger deposit can also have a positive impact on eligibility as you’ll be looking to borrow less for your car, which can then mean the finance becomes more affordable.. You should also make sure you’re registered on the electoral roll, as this makes it easier for lenders to check your address history.

What’s the difference between a soft credit search and a hard credit search?

Both checks are needed to be accepted for car finance, but only one affects your credit score. So it’s important to know the difference between the two:

  • Soft credit search – a soft credit check is conducted when you apply through our car finance eligibility checker. We perform this first because it doesn’t affect your credit score. There’s no limit to how many you can have, and they don’t show up when lenders view your credit profile.
  • Hard credit search – hard searches are visible to lenders, which is why we advise not to make too many in a short space of time. We make sure you’re happy to proceed before running a hard check, as they stay on your credit report for 12 months.

FAQs

Is it hard to get accepted for car finance?

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Getting accepted for car finance depends on various factors such as your credit history, financial situation, and the lender's criteria. If you have a good credit score, stable income, and can afford the monthly payments, you're more likely to be accepted. However, if your credit is poor or your financial situation is unstable, it might be more challenging.

Why am I not eligible?

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Several factors can affect your eligibility for car finance, including a low credit score, high existing debt, insufficient income, or a limited credit history. Lenders assess these factors to determine your ability to repay the loan. If you're not eligible, it might be due to these things. Taking steps to improve your credit score, paying off outstanding debts, and demonstrating steady income can increase your eligibility over time.

Why would my car finance application be declined?

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Your application can be declined for various reasons. Some common factors include a poor credit history, low credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, inadequate income to support payments, unstable employment, or errors in your application. Lenders evaluate these aspects to mitigate risks.

Will I get car finance with a poor credit score?

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Getting car finance with a poor credit score is possible, but it might come with certain challenges. Lenders might offer higher interest rates or more stringent terms to offset the risk. Some specialist lenders cater to individuals with poor credit, but it's important to carefully review the terms and consider whether the loan is affordable. Remember that each lender has its own criteria, so while one might decline your application, another could approve it.

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