Paying for a car

Listed lenders publish to .

Enter a price and an interest rate to see the total.

Estimate only. Not an offer of finance or financial advice. Your lender sets the rate, fees and approval.

Before you go to a yard

  1. Sort the loan first

    Your bank or another lender may offer a better rate than the yard’s finance. Dealers who arrange finance are usually paid for it by the lender.

    Consumer Protection (MBIE), Car loan checklist; Commerce Commission, motor vehicle finance and add-ons review (2021)

  2. Compare the total, not the weekly payment

    A $10,000 car can end up costing $20,000 or more once it’s financed.

    Consumer NZ, Finance at car yards

  3. A longer term costs more

    It lowers each payment and adds interest. Pay a set-up fee upfront if you can, so you don’t pay interest on it.

    Consumer Protection (MBIE), Car loan checklist; Sorted, Car loans

  4. Most add-ons are poor value

    Mechanical breakdown insurance, GAP and payment protection are often sold with the loan. Added to it, they gather interest too.

    Consumer NZ, Finance at car yards

  5. You can change your mind

    You can cancel within 5 working days of getting the loan’s disclosure, 7 if it was emailed, 9 if posted. If you’ve taken the car, you still have to pay for it.

    Consumer NZ, Finance at car yards

  6. Check for money owing

    A PPSR search shows whether finance is registered against the car. It costs $2 + GST.

    PPSR, searching for a motor vehicle

What lenders publish

ANZ Personal loan (opens the lender’s site), Avanti Auto loan (opens the lender’s site), Finance Now Car loan (opens the lender’s site), Heartland Car loan (opens the lender’s site), Marac Car loan (opens the lender’s site), MTF Car loan (opens the lender’s site) and Westpac Personal loan (opens the lender’s site) keep their rates and fees on their own pages.

Alphabetical. Rates as published on each lender’s page on 8 October 2026. Your rate depends on the lender’s checks. Information, not a recommendation.

Questions

What interest rate will I pay on a car loan?

The lenders listed above publish car-loan rates from 9.05% to 20.95% a year. Others keep their rates on their own pages, also linked above. Your rate depends on the lender’s checks.

Is the yard’s finance the cheapest?

Not always. Your bank or another lender may offer a better rate than the yard’s finance, so sort the loan before you go.

Can I cancel a car loan?

Yes, within 5 working days of getting the loan’s disclosure, 7 if it was emailed, 9 if posted. If you’ve taken the car, you still have to pay for it.

Sources