Need a car loan? We can help, up to $50,000

Looking to buy a car but don't have the funds?

An Instant Finance Car Loan can help get you on the road in a ride that suits all lifestyles and can help you spread the cost over a few months or years.

We've been doing this for over 50 years, working with Kiwis from all walks of life — including plenty who've been turned away by their bank.

We make borrowing money to buy a car easy, so if you're thinking about car finance in NZ, talk to our friendly staff and act like a cash buyer at the car yard. 

How Car Loans Work in NZ

A car loan is money you borrow to buy a vehicle, which you then pay back over an agreed term — usually with weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayments. Simple as that sounds, the details matter: how much you borrow, your interest rate, and your loan term all combine to set what you'll actually pay each week, and what the car ends up costing you in total once interest and fees are added in.

That's the bit we take the time to walk through with you, rather than just handing over a number and hoping for the best.

Secured vs unsecured — what's the difference?

You'll often hear car finance described as either secured or unsecured, and it's worth knowing what that means for you.

A secured loan uses an asset — usually the car you're buying — as security for the loan. If things go seriously wrong and repayments can't be kept up, the lender has a legal claim over that asset. An unsecured loan doesn't tie the loan to a specific asset, though it can mean a higher interest rate since the lender's taking on more risk.

At Instant Finance, we can arrange car finance either way, as personal lending up to $50,000. Which one makes sense for you depends on your situation — it's something we'll talk through with you rather than something you need to work out alone.

Dealer purchase or private sale — we can help either way

Buying from a registered dealer comes with consumer protections under the Consumer Guarantee Act, and dealers can often help arrange finance as part of the deal.

Buying privately can sometimes mean a lower price, but private sales in NZ are generally "as is" — so it pays to check the vehicle's history and get an inspection before you commit.

Either way you're buying, Instant Finance can help with the finance side of things — dealer or private sale, the process with us is the same.

How much can you borrow for a car?

With Instant Finance, you can finance a car from $500 up to $50,000. What you can actually borrow comes down to your individual circumstances — your income and expenses, any deposit you can put down, and the car itself all play a part. There's no one-size-fits-all number, which is exactly why we sit down and work through it with you rather than quoting a generic figure.

What interest rates apply to car loans in NZ?

Our rates run from 9.95% to 29.95% p.a., set individually based on your credit history, the loan term, and whether the loan's secured. If you've got an excellent credit history, a bank may well be able to offer you a lower rate than ours — we're not going to pretend otherwise. Where we come in is for the Kiwis banks turn away, or who'd rather deal with a local team who'll take the time to understand their situation. Whatever rate applies to you, it's set out clearly before you sign anything — no surprises.

Getting approved — what we generally look at

Every application's assessed on its own merits, but here's a general sense of what feeds into it:

• Income — what's coming in, and how steady it is

• Expenses — your regular outgoings

• Credit history — not just your score, but the full picture

• The vehicle itself — its value, where it's used as security

To apply, here's what you'll need to have sorted:

• Be over 18

• Live in New Zealand — you'll need to be a resident or citizen residing here, and we'll ask for a recent bill or formal letter to your home address. If you're on a work visa, that's fine too — you just need a loan term that ends before your visa does.

• Valid photo ID — if you're not a NZ resident, we'll need to sight your passport; otherwise your NZ driver licence or Kiwi Access/18+ card will do.

• Show you can afford the repayments — we'll work through a budget with you, which means the last three months of your bank transactions, either through a secure online link or as statements.

None of this needs to be perfect before you talk to us — if you're not sure where you stand, that's exactly what our team's there to help you figure out.

FAQ's - General car loan questions

How much can I borrow for a car?

You can apply for a car loan of anywhere between $500 and $50,000. How much you're approved for depends on your income, expenses, and overall situation — we'll work that out with you rather than giving a generic number upfront.

What interest rates apply to NZ car loans?

Our rates range from 9.95% to 29.95% p.a., personalised to your credit history, loan term, and whether the loan's secured. If your credit history is excellent, a bank may be able to offer a lower rate than ours. Where we're able to help more than most is with Kiwis banks turn away, or who'd rather work with a local team. Whatever rate applies to you is set out clearly before you sign anything.

Do I need a deposit?

Not necessarily — we offer car loan packages with no deposit required, so you're not stuck waiting to save one up. That said, putting down a deposit can lower your repayments if it suits your situation.

Can I finance a private sale?

Yes — we can help whether you're buying from a registered dealer or a private seller. The finance process is the same either way; just make sure you've done your homework on the vehicle's history if it's a private sale.

FAQ - Bad credit & approval questions

What counts as bad credit in NZ?

Bad credit usually just means a lower credit score — often from things like missed payments, defaults, or not having much credit history at all. It's one part of what we look at, alongside your income, expenses, and current situation.

Can I get a car loan with bad credit? 

Yes — we specialise in helping Kiwis with bad credit get access to the car finance they need. We look at more than just your credit score, including your income and ability to repay, so if you've had defaults or missed payments in the past, it's still worth talking to us.

Why choose Instant Finance for a bad credit car loan?

We offer flexible repayment options, we've helped thousands of Kiwis with less-than-perfect credit, and every decision is based on responsible lending suited to your current circumstances — not just a number on a report.

What if I've had a default or missed payments?

It's still worth applying. We look at your whole situation, not just what's on your credit file — including your current income and ability to repay. Plenty of our customers have had a default or two in their past and we've still been able to help.

What if my income is from a benefit or I only work part-time?

That's not an automatic no. We accept a range of income sources, including benefit income and part-time work, as long as it's regular and the repayments are affordable — we'll talk you through what we need.
What happens if I've had trouble getting approved elsewhere? (existing)
You can still apply online in minutes or speak with one of our team if you've got questions. Our goal is to help you get the car you need, even if your credit history isn't perfect.

Can I get approved for a car loan before I've found a car? 

Yes — you don't need to find your car first. Apply for pre-approval and we'll assess your income, expenses, and credit history just like any other application, then let you know what you're approved to borrow.

From there, you can go shopping like a cash buyer, with a clear budget — rather than finding the car first, or feeling pressured into whatever finance the dealer offers on the day.

No lender can honestly guarantee approval without looking at your situation first — but a clear, upfront answer before you go shopping is exactly what pre-approval gives you.