The true cost

How Much Car Finance Can I Get?

Estimate how much car finance you could borrow — indicative, with no credit check.

IndependentWe sell no financeNo commissionMaths based on FCA rules & the Consumer Credit Act 1974

The True CostAFFORDABILITY

Car price (indicative)

£10,619

Monthly payment

£250.00

Amount you'd finance: £9,619
Your deposit: £1,000
Total interest: £2,381

This is indicative only and runs no credit check. Real approval depends on your income, outgoings and credit file — the lender does an affordability assessment under FCA rules.

How we work this out

We work backwards from your monthly budget: the most you could finance is the present value of those payments at the rate and term. Add your deposit for the indicative car price.

Indicative only — real approval depends on a lender's affordability assessment under FCA rules.

Full method: how we calculate.

SourcesFCA

How much car finance you can get depends on your income, your outgoings and your credit file — not a fixed limit. This calculator gives an indicative borrowing figure from a monthly budget, with no credit check and no impact on your file.

How much can you borrow for a car?

You can typically borrow what a lender judges you can comfortably afford, based on your income and regular outgoings.

There's no single cap. A £250 monthly budget over four years at 11.9% APR works out at roughly a £10,620 car with a £1,000 deposit. The calculator above turns any budget into a figure.

What do lenders check?

Lenders check your credit file, income, outgoings, and address and ID history before they lend.

Your credit file and score — see what checks are done.
Income and regular outgoings (the affordability assessment).
Address and electoral-roll history.
Existing debts and any missed payments.

What credit score do you need?

There's no single minimum score — lenders weigh your whole file, but a stronger score means a better rate and more choice.

See what credit score you need for the detail.

Can I get car finance?

Most people can get some form of car finance, though a poor credit history means a higher APR or a guarantor.

If your credit is weak, read car finance with bad credit — and never accept a deal advertised as 'guaranteed' without checking the cost.

On benefits or in an IVA?

You can still be considered for car finance on benefits or during an IVA, though approval and rates depend on affordability.

See car finance on benefits and IVA.

Frequently asked

How much car finance can I get?

It depends on your income, outgoings and credit file, not a fixed limit. As a rough guide, a £250 monthly budget over four years at 11.9% APR finances roughly a £10,620 car with a £1,000 deposit.

What do lenders check for car finance?

Lenders check your credit file and score, your income and outgoings (an affordability assessment under FCA rules), your address and ID history, and any existing debts or missed payments.

What credit score do you need for car finance?

There's no single minimum score. Lenders look at your whole credit file, but a stronger score gives you a better rate and more choice. A poor file may mean a higher APR or needing a guarantor.

Will checking eligibility affect my credit score?

Not here. This calculator runs no credit check and has no impact on your file. It's an indicative estimate only — a lender's full application involves a credit search and an affordability assessment.

Work out your next step

Independent calculators — pick the one that fits your situation.

How much can you borrow for a car?

You can typically borrow what a lender judges you can comfortably afford, based on your income and regular outgoings.

There's no single cap. A £250 monthly budget over four years at 11.9% APR works out at roughly a £10,620 car with a £1,000 deposit. The calculator above turns any budget into a figure.