Household income
Under $60k
Indicative loan
$15–25k
Typical term
3 to 4 years
Kept tight so repayments stay well under 10% of take-home.
Know your weekly repayment
before you talk to a lender.
Slide the numbers, see your weekly, fortnightly and monthly payments instantly. When you're ready, one click takes you through to our finance partner for a formal estimate. No sign-up, no phone number, no lead form here.
Your estimated repayment
Weekly
$91/week
$183 /fortnight $396 /month
$20,000
$0
7.00% p.a.
5 years
We are not a finance company. Indicative only. Not a quote or offer of credit. Actual rates, fees, and repayments depend on your circumstances and the lender's decision.
No lead form
Anonymous until you choose to apply.
Instant numbers
Weekly, fortnightly, monthly. Live.
Vetted partner
An NZ partner that compares lenders. Coming soon.
Shareable link
Copy URL, numbers go with it.
The simple version
A car loan you can actually afford starts with knowing what it costs per week, not just on paper.
Most finance conversations start with the dealer's monthly number. That number can obscure the true weekly cost. We put the weekly figure first because that is how most pay cycles and household budgets work.
Popular brands
Browse car finance by brand.
Pick the brand you're considering and we'll pre-fill the calculator with a typical NZ used-car price for that marque, plus context on what financing it usually looks like.
Popular NZ models
What the top sellers actually cost per week.
Figures based on a typical used-example price, 7% rate, 5 year term, no deposit. Indicative only.
Popular amounts
Pick a price,
see the repayments.
Each page pre-fills the calculator at that amount with tables showing how repayments change by term and rate. A quick way to compare without moving sliders.
Not a standard loan?
Browse by loan type.
Electric vehicle, first car, refinance, self-employed, used car, and bad-credit loans each carry different rate expectations. Pick yours for a calculator pre-filled with a realistic rate.
First car loan
Smaller loan, shorter term, limited or no credit history. Guarantor may help.
Electric vehicle loan
Finance for a BEV or PHEV. Lower running costs, often priced as a "green" loan.
Bad credit car loan
Harder to get approved, rates typically higher. Clear affordability matters more.
Self-employed car loan
Lenders will want 2 years of IR3 income, often with an accountant summary.
Used car loan
Finance for a pre-owned vehicle. Rate often reflects the car's age and mileage.
Car loan refinance
Roll an existing car loan to a lower rate or shorter term. Worth the maths.
Ballpark affordability
How much can I borrow?
Rough guidance based on household income and a typical 5 year term. Every lender applies their own affordability test, so treat these as a sanity check, not a promise. The calculator above will show you exactly what any given amount means per week.
Household income
$60–100k
Indicative loan
$25–45k
Typical term
4 to 5 years
Mainstream range. Most lenders comfortable here with a clean record.
Household income
$100k+
Indicative loan
$45–80k
Typical term
5 to 7 years
Higher loans are possible but total interest climbs fast on longer terms.
Indicative only. Not a lending decision. We assume you have no other significant debts and stable employment. The lender runs a real affordability check when you apply.
The basics
How a car loan works.
Secured against the car
A standard NZ car loan is secured against the vehicle. That means if you stop paying, the lender can repossess and sell the car to recover what's owed. It's why rates on secured car loans run lower than a generic personal loan: the lender has a clear asset to fall back on.
Deposit changes everything
Even a 10 to 20% deposit typically lowers the indicative rate and the weekly cost materially. It also reduces the risk of negative equity in the first year or two, when the car depreciates fastest. Zero-deposit loans are available but come at a price, both in rate and in total interest over the term.
Term vs weekly cost trade-off
Stretching the loan from 3 years to 7 years drops your weekly number but roughly doubles the total interest you pay. Slide the term in the calculator above to see your own version of this trade-off. Most buyers land on 4 to 5 years as the sweet spot.
Fees to watch for
Common NZ loan fees include a one-off establishment fee, monthly account fee, and PPSR registration. Add-ons like mechanical breakdown insurance or payment protection are optional and priced separately; they can be declined. The CCCFA requires lenders to disclose all fees before you sign.
Common question
Dealership finance vs an independent broker.
Both can land you in a car the same day. The differences show up on the paperwork and the total cost over the term.
Option A
Dealership finance
- ✓Convenient, all handled on the same visit.
- ✓Subsidised rates on new vehicles when the manufacturer has a promotion.
- ✗Rate and car price are bundled; harder to see what finance actually costs you.
- ✗Add-ons (MBI, paint protection, GAP) are pushed at the table where it's hardest to say no.
- ✗Less leverage to negotiate the car price if the dealer is also earning finance commission.
Option B
Independent broker
- ✓Compares multiple lenders for you; picks the one most likely to approve at a fair rate.
- ✓Clear separation between car price and finance, so you can negotiate each.
- ✓Pre-approval lets you walk into any dealer with your budget already set.
- ✓Easier to decline add-ons without an on-the-day sales pitch.
- ✗Slightly more upfront effort (you fill out one form) before you can buy.
A widely observed pattern is to run the calculator, source an indicative number from an independent broker, and use it as a benchmark at the dealership. Where the dealer matches or beats it on the day, the dealer wins; where they cannot, the independent rate typically lands lower. Either way, the decision stays with the buyer.
How it works
Three steps. No phone calls until you're ready.
-
01
Slide the numbers
The calculator takes amount, deposit, rate, and term. Weekly, fortnightly and monthly repayments update as the sliders move.
-
02
Compare scenarios
Try a longer term, a bigger deposit, a different rate. Your URL updates so you can share the exact result with a co-buyer.
-
03
Get a formal estimate
Click through to our finance partner. They compare lenders and give you a real rate, with your inputs passed along so you don't re-type everything.
Jargon buster
Common finance terms.
Secured loan
A loan where the lender can repossess the asset (the car) if you default. Lower rate, higher stakes.
Balloon payment
A large lump sum at the end of the loan. Keeps weekly repayments low but you pay or refinance that final chunk later.
Residual value
The car's estimated worth at the end of the loan term. Used to work out balloon or lease payments.
APR vs interest rate
APR includes fees amortised into the rate; a plain interest rate doesn't. APR is the truer cost to compare.
Early repayment
Paying the loan off before the term ends. In NZ you can usually do this without significant penalty.
Guarantor
Someone who legally promises to cover the loan if you can't. Useful for first-time borrowers or thin credit files.
Common questions
Frequently asked.
What's a typical interest rate for a car loan in New Zealand?
Secured car loans in New Zealand typically run in the 8 to 14% per annum range, depending on the car's age, the applicant's credit record, the loan term, and the lender. Rates below 7% usually come from manufacturer-tied finance on new vehicles with a deposit. Our calculator defaults to 7% as a reasonable middle-of-market assumption; the actual rate is confirmed by the lender after application.
How much deposit do I need for a car loan?
Zero-deposit car loans are available, but putting in 10 to 20% of the purchase price typically reduces the indicative rate and strengthens the application. A deposit also means less to repay, less total interest, and a smaller gap if the car's value drops early in the loan, which helps when selling or refinancing mid-term.
Is it better to finance a car through a dealership or independently?
Dealership finance is convenient and sometimes has manufacturer subsidies on new vehicles. Independent lenders or brokers often beat dealer rates on used cars, and give you a single rate that isn't bundled into the car's price. A common approach is to get an independent rate first (it takes minutes), then let the dealer try to match or beat that number.
Can I pay off a car loan early without penalty in NZ?
Most NZ car loans let you repay early without break fees, thanks to Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) rules around reasonable early-repayment charges. Your lender may still charge a small administration fee, and you may not recover any pre-paid interest. Always check the specific contract before signing.
What's the difference between a secured and unsecured car loan?
A secured car loan is backed by the car itself. If you default, the lender can repossess and sell it. Secured loans have lower rates because there's less risk to the lender. An unsecured car loan (essentially a personal loan) has higher rates but doesn't put the car at risk, and suits situations where the car is older or the loan is small.
How long can I borrow for on a car loan?
Common terms are 3 to 7 years. Shorter terms mean higher weekly repayments but much less total interest. Longer terms smooth out the weekly cost but you pay significantly more overall, and you risk owing more than the car is worth as depreciation outpaces your repayments. A 5-year term is the most common middle ground.
Does my credit score affect my rate?
Yes, significantly. Clean credit with stable income usually unlocks the lowest advertised rates. Thin credit files (first-time borrowers) and defaults/past arrears push the rate up and may require a co-signer or larger deposit. Checking your credit score first (free via Centrix, Illion, or Equifax in NZ) avoids surprises.
Do I need insurance to get a car loan?
Most lenders require comprehensive insurance on the vehicle for the life of the loan, since the car is the security. Third-party-only insurance is usually not accepted. Mechanical breakdown insurance and payment protection are optional add-ons that lenders may offer, but they're separate products and you can decline them.
Ready when you are
No more guessing
what it costs.
The calculator is the whole tool. Numbers update the moment you move a slider. You stay anonymous until you decide to ask our finance partner for a formal estimate.