If you've recently applied for car finance with Santander and received a rejection, you're not alone. Many people find themselves in this situation, wondering what went wrong and what they can do next. In this Santander car finance guide, we'll explore some common questions and concerns about Santander's car finance decisions, and what steps you can take if you have been refused a car loan from this high profile lender.
Let’s start with the main question from this guide.
Have you been declined car finance by Santander?
If you’re reading this, chances are you have found yourself in this less-than-ideal situation. Though it might feel like a big setback, and even like this is the end of the road, it doesn’t have to be. The first port of call should be to find out from Santander why they refused the car finance, if they haven’t already told you. Knowing the reason for the refusal will stand you in better stead for fixing the problem, or avoiding further refusals when you make future applications. If you can’t find out the specific reason, you may still be able to get approved for car finance with other lenders, it’s just easier to move forward with more confidence if you have this information.
I have been refused credit by Santander for PCP, can you help?
Yes, we can! Receiving a rejection for Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) financing from Santander can be frustrating and disheartening, but don't worry, we might just have the solution for you. Here at CarFinance247 we work closely with a large panel of lenders of all types and areas of expertise, which means we’re often able to help people get approved for PCP car financing even when they have been refused car finance by other lenders. Simply hit the ‘Get my quote’ button on our website and answer a few questions about your financial circumstances, and we’ll do the rest.
Why have I been refused PCP with Santander?
There are several reasons why Santander or any other lender might decline your PCP car finance application. Some common factors include a poor credit history, not having a high enough income, having high levels of existing debt, or mistakes or missing details in the information you gave during the application process. Santander checks each application based on criteria like this, and may decline applications that don’t meet their desired standards or pose too much of a lending risk.
Does Santander accept bad credit?
Santander, like many other lenders, considers applications from individuals with varying credit histories. While they may approve some applicants with less-than-perfect credit scores, they typically prefer borrowers with a stable financial background and a good credit history. If you have bad credit, securing car finance from Santander or similar institutions might be challenging, but not impossible. Exploring alternative lenders or improving your credit score over time could increase your chances of approval.
What credit bureau does Santander use?
Santander, like most major lenders, relies on credit bureaus, also known as credit agencies, to assess the creditworthiness of applicants. In the UK, the main credit reference agencies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Santander may use one or more of these agencies to obtain information about your credit history, repayment behaviour, and overall financial health. You may be able to find out which specific credit agencies Santander uses the most by contacting them directly for this information. It's also worth regularly checking your credit report from all three of these agencies to make sure they’re all accurate, and address any issues that may affect your creditworthiness.
Does being refused car finance by Santander affect my credit score?
When you apply for car finance or any other form of credit, the lender typically conducts a ‘hard check’ on your credit report. This check becomes a part of your credit history and may have a slight negative impact on your credit score, especially if you have multiple hard checks within a short period. However, the mere act of being declined for car finance by Santander does not directly affect your credit score. Instead, it's the credit check and any subsequent actions, such as applying elsewhere, that can influence your credit rating.
Can Car Finance 247 help me if I have been declined by Santander?
Yes, we can! That’s what we’re here for, helping people find the best car finance deal that suits their needs and circumstances, even if those circumstances are slightly tricky. While it’s never a guarantee that we’ll be able to help everybody get approved, we do work with a large selection of specialist lenders, many of which offer services specifically tailored to people who have been refused car finance in the past. We can introduce you to lenders who are experts at finding deals and getting approvals for people with bad credit, or people with CCJs, defaults or IVAs in their credit histories. We even work with lenders who specialise in car finance for self employed people or those on benefits, even if they’ve been declined by bigger lenders like Santander for not having a ‘traditional’ form of income.
So, while being declined car finance by Santander can be disappointing, hopefully this guide has helped reassure you that it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t still get car finance elsewhere. Taking the time to understand why your application was rejected, and working on improving your creditworthiness for future applications can help enormously with any future applications. And remember, we at CarFinance247 are always here to help introduce you to other lenders who may be able to help get you approved, even if you’ve been refused car finance by Santander or other big lenders.