What documents do I need for car finance?
Ready to apply for car finance but aren’t sure what documents you need for a car loan? We’ve answered your most common questions.
What details do you need to apply for car finance?
When you're applying for car finance, you'll need to gather some personal information to show the lender that you're a reliable borrower. Here's a basic list of what you might need to provide:
Your full name
Your date of birth
Proof of address
Proof of income
Bank details
Driving licence
Remember, the exact details you need can vary depending on the lender and your specific situation. It's a good idea to check with the lender beforehand to make sure you have everything they need.
What paperwork do you need to prepare for car finance?
Whether you live in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, the documents that you’ll need to secure car finance will be broadly the same.
Each lender has their own requirements but, in general, the paperwork they will need to see is:
A picture of your driving licence – You’ll be asked to upload a picture of your licence after you’ve applied online. Make sure that your picture and all the details are clear and easy to read before you share your shot.
Payslips or bank statements – Lenders will want to know your employment status and how much you typically earn each month. This helps them to carry out affordability checks to make sure you’re not applying for a loan that could cause your finances to stretch too thin.
Proof of address – A lender will usually ask for a copy of something like a utility bill or your most recent council tax statement as proof of where you live. The lenders we work with ask that you have at least three years’ address history in the UK.
These documents will be requested no matter whether your credit is excellent, fair, or in need of some work. In fact, we work with lenders that can help people find bad credit car finance.
Do you need payslips for car finance?
Yes, showing recent payslips is necessary for car finance. Payslips show your income and allow finance companies to assess whether you can meet the monthly repayments. You should ensure that the payslips you give are recent and accurately reflect your current earnings.
Do I need a full licence to get car finance?
In most cases, possessing a full UK driving licence is necessary for securing car finance. Lenders typically require your driving licence details to determine your eligibility.
However, at Car Finance 247, we do work with some lenders that can offer car finance to people with a provisional licence, or no licence at all!
Is it hard to get accepted for car finance?
Getting accepted for car finance depends on many factors. These include your credit history, income, and the lender’s criteria.
While some lenders may have strict requirements, some specialise in offering car finance to those who might have been refused car finance elsewhere.
How much do I need to earn to get car finance?
The amount you need to earn for car finance depends on many factors. These include the lender's requirements, the price of the car you want to finance, your credit history, and your finances.
Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio, which is the percentage of your income that goes toward paying debts.
A steady and sufficient income is generally necessary to show your ability to repay the loan. Additionally, lenders may also look at your credit score, job stability, and current debts when deciding if you can get car finance. That’s why they ask to see proof of employment and payslips.
Do car finance companies contact your employer?
Yes, some car finance companies call or email your boss to check if you work where you say you do. They want to make sure you have a job and earn enough money to pay back the loan for the car.
This is just to make sure you're reliable and can afford the payments. So, it's pretty common for them to get in touch with your employer during the application process.