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Buying a Car: Finance Vs. Cash

Moneymagpie Team 29th Oct 2024 No Comments

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When it comes to buying a car, new or used, you have two main options – financing the purchase or paying cash upfront. Each option has its own pros and cons that are worth considering carefully before making your decision.

Getting a Car Loan

One of the most common ways to buy a car in the UK is through a car loan, also known as auto financing. This involves borrowing money from a lender like a bank or applying for car finance from the dealership to cover the cost of the vehicle. You’ll then repay the loan amount plus interest over an agreed timeframe, usually between 1-5 years.

The advantages of financing a car purchase include:

  • Lower upfront costs – Rather than paying the full price of the car outright, you only need to cover a deposit, and sometimes not even that if you can snag a 0% deposit deal or trade in your old vehicle and use the value as a deposit. This makes the vehicle more affordable, especially if you don’t have savings to buy in cash.
  • Build credit – Making regular payments on an auto loan can help establish or rebuild your credit score over time. This makes it easier to get approved for financing in the future.
  • Drive a nicer car – You may be able to afford lower monthly payments on a more expensive, better equipped car through financing, compared to buying a cheaper model with cash.
  • Convenience – The loan application process is relatively quick and easy through many lenders.

However, there are some downsides to keep in mind:

  • Higher long-term costs – Interest charges mean you end up paying more for the car over the lifetime of the loan.
  • Risk of repossession – If you fall behind on payments, the lender can seize the car. This can destroy your credit score.
  • Loan approval not guaranteed – Lenders will check your credit, income and existing debts. If your financial profile is poor, you may not qualify. That said, there are dealers that offer car finance to people with bad credit, so don’t assume you have no options available.

Paying Cash for a Car

The alternative is to pay the full asking price for the car upfront, without any financing. This requires having sufficient savings set aside, either in an account or on hand.

The pros of paying cash for a car purchase are:

  • No interest or fees – You pay the same price as the sticker price, without any added costs.
  • Full ownership – The car is entirely yours, without obligations to a lender.
  • Build savings – Handing over a large cash payment could improve your discipline for saving money in the future.
  • Better negotiating position – Cash buyers are sometimes taken more seriously by dealers and can negotiate a lower price.
  • Less reliance on credit – Your finances and credit score won’t take a hit by applying for and managing an auto loan.

However, the potential cons include:

  • Large upfront payment – You’ll need the full amount accessible, which may be challenging if you don’t have substantial savings set aside.
  • Lost investment gains – That lump cash could otherwise be earning interest or investment returns if kept in accounts.
  • Risk of assets depreciating – Cars lose value quickly, so large cash payments mean accepting that loss in value.

Weighing Your Options

There are solid cases to be made for both financing and buying with cash when purchasing a car. Consider your current financial situation, savings vs. income levels, credit score and overall budget to determine the better option for your circumstances.

Being pragmatic about what you can actually afford will help guide your choice.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.



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Jasmine Birtles

Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.

Jasmine Birtles

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