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Bad Credit Car Finance

  • Earn over £1.2k a month?

  • Are you aged over 21?

My monthly budget is

Rates from 8.9% APR. Representative APR 23.9%.
Car Finance 247 Limited is a credit broker, not a lender.
ford focus

*Car Finance 247 runs a soft credit check for your quote (no impact on your score). If you proceed, a hard credit check is required which may affect your score.

Rates from 8.9% APR. Representative 23.9% APR. Hire Purchase (HP) Example: Borrow £10,000 over 5 years with a £0 deposit. Representative APR 23.9% fixed rate. Monthly payment: £274.05. Total cost of credit: £6,442.98. Total amount repayable: £16,442.98.

Rated 'Excellent' by our customers

If you have a poor credit score and you'd like to take out finance on a vehicle, it can be difficult to find a suitable car finance platform. However, at Car Finance 247, there's no need to worry, as we’re here to help. We will do everything we can to find you a deal, even if you have bad credit

Building up a good credit score can be difficult. To make a start, you usually need stable employment. In many cases, a car becomes essential for commuting to work. However, undergoing credit checks can make the process extremely difficult, particularly if you can't find a car finance platform that can offer you a deal.

At Car Finance 247, we understand this dilemma, making the financing process as straightforward as possible for people with poor credit history by working with a wide panel of lenders. 

If you'd like to get started, all you need to do is click on the Get my quote button. However, if you'd like more advice first, please make an enquiry and our friendly, expert team of account managers will be happy to help. 

What is bad credit?

A bad credit rating usually stems from missing payments or historical financial difficulties, and it can take a long time to build up good credit. The absence of a universally defined bad credit score can make the process challenging, as the UK’s three credit reference agencies use different scales to formulate and measure ratings.

A credit rating is a score assigned by various credit reference agencies, assessing the likelihood of businesses and individuals being approved for credit by lenders. Generally, the higher the rating, the more likely it is that credit will be approved by lenders. The good news is that your credit isn’t fixed, so if yours sits within these bands then you can take steps to improve your score.

Here are the bandings that Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion currently use to define a poor/very poor credit score:

Bandings
Experian 0-720
Equifax 0-438
TransUnion 0-566

Can I get car finance with bad credit?

You could still secure bad credit car finance as we have specialist lenders on our panel who look at each application individually – even if you’ve been refused car finance elsewhere.

At Car Finance 247, we know that credit scores come in all shapes and sizes. If you’ve had a CCJ, IVA, been in mortgage arrears, or missed payments in the past, then your credit score could need some work.

But having bad credit doesn’t mean you have to give up on getting car finance. There’s no judgement here.

While we can’t guarantee we’ll be able to find you an approval, our lenders will look at every application individually, taking a range of factors into account to search for a car finance deal that’s right for you and your circumstances.

Get your no obligation car finance quote in 60 seconds
From our expert
“Car finance can be a lifeline for those with bad credit as it offers a manageable way to own a car while rebuilding your credit score with consistent, on-time payments”

Bad Credit Finance Calculator

£
£3,000£200,000
£
Term
Finance type
Vehicle price£10,000.00
Deposit£1,000.00
Amount to finance£9,000.00
APR
19.9%
Option-to-purchase fee£10.00
Total cost of credit£3,754.82
Total amount repayable£13,764.82
48 monthly payments of£265.73
Rates from 8.9% APR. Representative APR 23.9%.
Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative 23.9% APR. Hire Purchase (HP) Example: Borrow £10,000 over 5 years with a £0 deposit. Representative APR 23.9% fixed rate. Monthly payment: £274.05. Total cost of credit: £6,442.98. Total amount repayable: £16,442.98.

Can I get car finance with no credit history?

If you’ve never borrowed money before and have no credit history, it can be hard to buy a car on finance. That’s because lenders have no way of knowing what kind of borrower you’ll be. Technically, no credit isn’t classed as bad credit, but in the eyes of some lenders, you may be viewed in the same way.

You should always be cautious with any lender that claims to be able to offer no credit check car finance, especially as a young driver or someone with no credit history. Credit checks are an important step in the financing process, providing reassurance for both the lender and the borrower. When you get a quote with Car Finance 247, we’ll only run a soft credit check, which won’t have any impact on your credit score unless you choose to proceed.

Even so, if you’re concerned about your credit history, you may still be able to find a finance option that works for you. Please get in touch with our expert team and we’ll discuss your options with you.

What paperwork will I need to provide?

When applying for car finance, you will need to provide several pieces of paperwork during the assessment period. We work with a panel of lenders – including some that can offer poor credit car loan options – and the documents they need can vary.

In most cases, we’ll usually ask for:

  • Proof of driving licence
  • Proof of address
  • Proof of income

Are you self-employed with bad credit? We work with lenders that can help people with a range of employment circumstances secure car finance, subject to approval.

How can you improve your credit score?

The best thing about credit scores is that they aren’t fixed - you can take steps to improve your score over time. Keep in mind though that it isn’t an exact science and the results won’t be instant. Another thing to remember is that each credit reference agency uses a different system to calculate your score, and you may find that your score is slightly different depending on the agency used.

If you’re looking to improve your credit score, there are several steps you could take:

  • Pay your bills on time
  • Check for mistakes on your credit report
  • Don’t use all your available credit
  • Don’t make lots of applications at the same time
  • Get on the electoral roll
  • Make regular payments on time 
  • Check your financial links
  • Build your credit score over time with a credit builder credit card

If you’d like to find out more about improving your credit rating, our How to Boost Your Credit Score page may be of interest.

We only work with trusted partners and lenders

ClearScore
Compare the Market
Experian
Credit Karma

Why come to us for bad credit car finance?

A helping hand

At Car Finance 247, obtaining car finance is all about helping people improve their everyday lives. We understand that building a good credit score isn’t always easy, and we believe that car finance should be accessible to as many people as possible.

Dedicated account manager

Plus, you’ll have a dedicated account manager on hand to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Finding you the best deal

Whether it’s sorting out the school run, getting that big boot for the big shop, or a car you’re proud to park outside the office, we’ll work to find you the best deal from our panel of lenders, even if you have bad credit.

Get your no obligation car finance quote in 60 seconds

Making car finance simple for 450,000+ customers

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It was stress-free, really helpful and I would definitely recommend
Hannah Bought a Fiat 500
Very good customer service, very quick and simple. Definitely would recommend using them, very happy
Molly
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It was a pleasant experience, I'd recommend them to anyone
Michael Bought an MG HS
It was so easy and hassle free, most of it done over WhatsApp which was really good for me with working long hours. And the staff were fantastic.
Overall very happy with the service
Jack
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Everything was clear and explained perfectly
Kudzai Bought a Ford Focus
My experience was really great with these guys. Easy quick and effective. Kept me in loop all the way and got me finance approved when everyone else couldnt. Highly recommend them.
Harjinder

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I get a car on finance with bad credit?

    You may be able to get a car on finance with bad credit. Here at Car Finance 247, we work with a wide panel of lenders and some of them can help people with poor credit scores secure finance.
    And it’s not all about your score; our lenders look at every application individually and take a range of factors into account to find a finance option that’s affordable and right for you and your circumstances.

    Whilst we can’t guarantee that your finance application will be accepted, we will do our best to find the right deal for you. To get a free no-obligation quote, please click the Get my quote button.

  • Are there any lenders who will finance a car with bad credit?

    Yes, several lenders on our panel can finance a car with bad credit.

    Each lender has different criteria that they need applicants to meet and it’s often about more than just your credit score. We will look at a range of criteria including:

    • Your individual circumstances
    • Financial habits
    • Your salary and income
    • Your overall affordability

    Once assessed, we’ll be able to find out what finance options are available and best suit your needs.

  • Does a large deposit offset bad credit?

    While having a large deposit will not change your credit score, it could mean you need to borrow less money to buy a car.

    Having bad credit won’t necessarily prevent you from finding a loan, but having a large deposit to put down could affect your chances of being accepted (although this isn’t always a given). If you can put down a large down payment, your total loan amount will likely be lower. This means that your monthly repayments could be more affordable, and you may need to pay back less over time.

    Our Car Finance Calculator may also help you to see how much your monthly repayments could be, depending on your initial deposit.

  • How do I buy a new car with bad credit?

    If you have bad credit, you could still buy a new car. Having a poor credit rating could make it harder for you to find a car finance deal, but it’s not impossible.

    When you apply with Car Finance 247, you can secure your finance first so you can choose a new car with confidence, even if you’ve been refused elsewhere. You’ll receive a decision in minutes and if we can find you an approval in principle from our panel of lenders, you can then choose a vehicle from our car search or any reputable UK dealer.

  • How can I wipe my credit clean?

    There’s no way to wipe your credit clean but you can improve a bad credit score over time. There are no quick fixes but there are clear steps that you can take to boost your credit rating.

    Ways to improve your credit score include:

    • Signing up to the electoral register
    • Paying your bills on time
    • Checking for any mistakes on your credit report
    • Checking your financial links
    • Using a credit building credit card

    If you have a marker on your credit report that is impacting your score, like a CCJ or a default, then these can be removed after a few years. Similarly, if you check your report and notice that there’s a mistake, you can raise this with the relevant credit reference agency and have it removed.

  • Does car finance affect my credit score?

    Car finance can affect your credit score positively or negatively, depending on the type of borrower you are. You may see your score dip slightly when you first take out a new loan, as you’re adding a large new debt to your file.
    However, if you keep up with your repayments, this can help you build credit over time. However, if you miss payments or regularly pay late, this could negatively affect your score.

    If you’d like to check your credit score, please use our Clearscore Free Credit Check.

  • What is the lowest credit score to buy a car?

    There’s no set credit score that will guarantee you’ll get finance to buy a car. While a low credit score can make it more difficult to find a loan and some lenders may refuse you finance, we work with lenders that specialise in bad credit car finance.

    This means that we may be able to help people with poor credit scores find a car finance deal that’s right for them. You can get an estimate of what your monthly repayments might look like if you have a low credit score by heading over to the Car Finance Calculator.

  • Can I finance a car with a 500 credit score?

    You may be able to finance a car with a 500 credit score. There’s no set score that can guarantee you’ll get a car loan and no minimum acceptance score; you could even find finance if you have no credit history at all.

    A credit score of 500 is considered low or poor by most of the UK’s credit reference agencies and so it may restrict the number of lenders available to you. However, it doesn’t mean you have to give up on finding car finance completely.

    At Car Finance 247, we work with a wide panel of lenders including those who consider people with poor credit scores find and finance their next car.

  • Can I get bad credit car finance with no deposit?

    We work with a panel of lenders and some do offer car finance options with no deposit – even if you have bad credit.

    Speak to your account manager who can let you know how it works and what options are available to you.

  • How long will it take to get car finance with bad credit?

    You can get a car finance decision in minutes. Make an application, pop the kettle on, and you’ll find out if you’re approved by the time you’ve finished your tea.

    If we’ve found you an approval in principle, your dedicated account manager will give you a call to confirm your details and discuss the next steps.

  • Can I get guaranteed car finance for bad credit?

    There’s no such thing as guaranteed car finance. There are a range of factors that determine whether you’ll be approved for car finance and every loan offer is subject to circumstances.

    We work with a panel of lenders and while we can look for loans for customers with a variety of different credit profiles, we can’t offer guaranteed car finance. If you’ve found a car finance company that says they can guarantee car finance – especially if you have bad credit – we’d advise treading carefully.

  • How does the car finance process work?

    At Car Finance 247, the car finance process starts with a no obligation quote. As soon as we’ve received your online application, we’ll look to find you the best deal from our panel of lenders. If we’re able to find you an approval, your account manager will give you a call to discuss the next steps. They’ll guide you through the process, take care of all the admin, and even liaise with the dealer on your behalf.

    You can choose a car from any reputable dealer or check out our car search – home to over 100,000 used vehicles. We’ll then carry out all the checks, chase the lender, and make sure the dealership is kept in the loop so you can just sign on the dotted line and drive away.

  • What credit score do I need to get car finance?

    There’s no credit score that will guarantee you can get car finance. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on finding finance if your score could do with some work.

    In fact, at Car Finance 247, we’ll look to find you the best deal from our panel of lenders, whether you have excellent, good, fair, or bad credit. We might even be able to help if you’ve had a CCJ, defaults, an IVA or been refused car finance elsewhere.