Interest is the amount that accumulates once you borrow a loan from a bank or any other financial provider. The rate of accumulation will therefore determine how much you will need to pay in order to clear the loan. Every first Wednesday of the month, the federal reserve bank of Australia determines whether there should be a rise or fall in the interest rates. This normally affects loans in all sectors of the economy including car loan rates.
If you are looking for a vehicle to purchase there are many considerations that you should have in mind. The first thing is how you will finance the purchase. Paying for the purchase is actually a higher consideration than which model you are going to purchase. This means that many people will opt for a car loan in order to finance the purchase. The type of car loan you go for will be determined by the interest rates offered among other issues. It is therefore important to compare car loan rates provided by different financial institutions. This will ensure that you pick the one you are most comfortable with.
What determines car loan interest rates?
The rates for car loans are mainly determined by two main factors. These are the amount, which is borrowed, and the duration of the car loan. Going for a long-term loan will mean lower interest rates. However, you might end up paying a lot more for the loan than someone who opts for short-term repayment. Although these two are usual points, the task of calculating how much to apply for and how long it will take to repay is usually a hard task. Apart from the amount or duration, the interest rates will also be determined by the kind of vehicle that you intend to purchase. Most of the banking institutions will charge a higher rate to finance a used car compared to the new ones.
Another common determinant of the loan interest is the vehicle source. For instance if you plan to buy an imported used car, the financial institutions will either charge very high interest rates or subject you to rigorous procedures when applying for such a loan. In such a case, the best alternative would be to get a personal loan and use it to finance the purchase. Car loan interest also differ depending on whether the loan is secured or unsecured. An unsecured loan will obviously attract higher rates.
Sometimes, when you are choosing a car loan, you might want to add extras such as comprehensive car insurance, stamp duty, warranties for breakdowns, registration or any other road cost that might be incurred. If the lender approves all these additional, you will be required to pay a higher interest rate since the repayment period remains the same.
How to secure the best car loan interest rates
The first rule to be observed when one is looking for the best interest rates is to exercise patience and carry out thorough research. You should refrain from taking offers from banks and car finance institutions before considering other sources. These days so many financial institutions are offering their services online, which make it easy to compare different rates. You can also use the services of car finance brokers who will point you in the right direction.