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LenderCar LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Interest Type Vehicle Type Maximum Vehicle Age Ongoing Fee Upfront Fee Total Repayment Early Repayment Instant Approval Online Application TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
8.27% p.a.
8.27% p.a.
$612
Fixed
New, Used
No Max
$0
$595
$36,731
8.99% p.a.
9.13% p.a.
$623
Variable
New, Used
10 years
$0
$100
$37,356
8.99% p.a.
9.13% p.a.
$623
Variable
New, Used
10 years
$0
$100
$37,356
8.99% p.a.
9.13% p.a.
$623
Variable
New, Used
No Max
$0
$100
$37,356
8.99% p.a.
9.13% p.a.
$623
Variable
New, Used
10 years
$0
$100
$37,356
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here.

The comparison rates in this table are based on a loan of $30,000 and a term of 5 years unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates for car loans and secured personal loans for the relevant amounts and terms are for secured loans unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates for unsecured personal loans are applicable for unsecured loans only. WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Comparison rates are not calculated for revolving credit products.

Monthly repayment figures are estimates only, exclude fees and are based on the advertised rate for the term and for the loan amount entered. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Car loan lender reviews

loans.com.au Car Loans OMM Car and Personal Loans Review NRMA car loans review Plenti Car Loans Review SocietyOne Personal & Car Loans

What is an unsecured car loan?

An unsecured car loan is a less-common type of car loan in Australia, where you don’t need to offer the car, or any other asset - as security on your loan. Without this security in place, you will find that your options are more limited and you will likely need to pay a higher interest rate.

Most car loans are secured loans and the car is usually the asset used as security. Car loans are usually for large amounts, because cars are expensive, so it can be considered risky to lend money without security as a backup plan.

With a secured car loan, if you were to default on your loan, the lender could repossess your car. While you have a short window to fix the situation, the lender could sell your car to make up for their losses. This is why secured car loans usually come with lower interest rates, as the lenders have this security to fall back on.

Unsecured car loan fees

There are two types of unsecured car loan interest rates: fixed rate or variable rate. With a fixed rate, you will pay the same interest rate throughout the duration of your loan. This can be helpful to know exactly what your repayments will be each month, and how much you will pay back overall. On the other hand, with a variable rate, your interest rate may go up or down. You can save money if interest rates go down, but you may end up paying more if interest rates go up. This can make it more difficult to budget.

Pros and cons of unsecured car loans

If an unsecured car loan sounds like it’s the right fit for you, let’s discuss a few of the pros and cons so that you can make the most informed decision.

Pros of unsecured car loans

  • No asset as security: The car is less likely to be seized if you default on your loan, which you may want if buying the car as a gift for someone. However, this doesn’t mean there are no consequences of defaulting on your loan; your credit score will likely take a hit and you may face severe court proceedings which could result in strict mandates requiring you to repay the debt (plus the lender's court costs) through various means (e.g. surrendering wages or forced sale of assets).

  • Lower interest rate than personal loan: Though your interest rate will be higher than a secured car loan, unsecured car loans still generally have lower interest rates than unsecured personal loans.

  • Borrowing flexibility: With an unsecured car loan, you can usually borrow as much as you’d like, as long as you can afford it. This means your loan could encompass the cost of your car, any other car-related fees (registration, insurance, etc).

Cons of unsecured car loans

  • Higher interest rate than secured car loans: As we mentioned, since unsecured car loans are riskier, you will likely see this reflected in your interest rate. You will likely pay more interest on your loan than if you took out a secured car loan.

  • Stricter eligibility criteria: Again, due to their higher risk, the eligibility criteria for unsecured car loans are usually much stricter and you will probably need a good credit score.

  • Potential legal action: If you default on your unsecured car loan, you won’t lose your car, but you could face legal action. Your information could be passed onto a debt collection agency, or they could file a civil lawsuit to get the money they’re owed. But this is only if you default on your loan.

How to compare unsecured car loans

When looking at your options, though they may be slim, there are still ways to compare and choose the most-suited unsecured car loan for you.

There are a few things you should pay attention to when comparing unsecured loans.

Interest rates

You should compare the interest rates available on the car loans, as well as the type of interest rate (fixed or variable). This can greatly influence how much you end up paying back in interest charges. Finding a competitive rate can be reliant on how good your credit score is, how much you are looking to borrow, and the lender.

Comparison rates

In addition to interest rates, comparison rates should also be carefully considered. The comparison rate reflects the interest rate plus other fees and charges, so that you can get a better idea of how much you will end up paying back overall. Other fees and charges could include monthly fees, establishment fees and so on.

Loan term

You should also consider how long the loan term is as this can affect how much you pay back in interest. Generally speaking, the longer the loan term, the smaller the monthly repayments. However, though the repayment amounts may be smaller, they add up over time and usually mean you are paying more in interest charges. If you want to save as much interest as you can, a short-term unsecured car loan may be suitable. If you cannot afford these monthly repayments, you may need a longer term agreement.

Repayment terms

You should also consider whether you will be paying back your loan monthly or fortnightly, as this can affect your interest charged. If you pay monthly, this is equal to 12 months in repayments. But if you pay fortnightly, this comes in at 13 months in repayments (as long as the repayments are exactly half the monthly repayments - some lenders calculate this differently). So, paying fortnightly rather than monthly may see you pay off your loan faster and with less interest charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some lenders will let you make reduced monthly repayments in return for one lump sum payment made at the end of the loan term called a balloon payment. But usually, the total repayments on the loan with a balloon structure end up being higher than a loan without one. So though it may seem like it will save you money, in most cases, it will not. Make sure you work out the calculations before deciding a loan with a balloon payment structure is right for you.

This will depend on the lender, but generally, you can expect to borrow anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. Recent research from Plenti revealed the average car loan size in Australia is roughly $31,000, however, this doesn’t take into account whether the car loan is secured or unsecured.

The loan term is essentially the life of your loan, or how long it will take you to pay it back. Car loan terms usually range from around three to 10 years depending on the loan size (how much you borrow) and the lender.

As we mentioned, if you default on your loan, your lender may pass your details along to a collection agency to recoup their losses. Alternatively, they may file a civil suit. Additionally, you will likely find that they will pass your details onto a credit reporting bureau, which will see your default recorded on your credit report. This could impact your credit score and your ability to access finance in the future.

A credit score between 500 and 700 is generally considered to be average. Your lender may have specific credit score requirements that must be met to apply for an unsecured car loan. This is due to the increased risk involved.