finance a car melbourne Page 10

Want to finance a car in Melbourne? Of course you do — lenders love the business, you just need to make sure you get the best deal instead of handing over your wallet on autopilot.

Compare dealer finance, banks/credit unions and brokers: typical secured car loan rates in Australia are roughly 5–10% p.a., personal/unsecured loans are usually higher, deposits commonly run 5–20%, and terms are often 1–7 years.

Always check the comparison rate, watch for balloon/residual payments and early repayment fees, and get pre-approval so you know your budget before you fall in love with a car.

Bring ID, recent payslips and proof of address to speed approval, have used cars inspected, and shop listings on Tradingpost or CarShowroom; use ServiceCentral to budget for servicing if you like surprises.

Also factor in stamp duty, registration and insurance — expect to pay an extra few hundred to a few thousand AUD up front depending on the vehicle.

Read the lender's contract (yes, every word) and consult the official terms before signing anything.