7 things to know before applying for a business car loan

Understanding business car loans can be a little tricky, however, there are a few things you should know before applying for one.  

What is a business car loan?

A business car loan lets you buy a vehicle for your business with money loaned to you. Like any loan you may have, you'll be required to pay the loan amount back on a regular basis — usually monthly over a fixed period of time (the term of the loan).

 

There are a few options when it comes to getting a business vehicle loan including a goods loan (chattel mortgage), finance lease or hire purchase.

 

In this article, when we refer to a business car loan we’re talking about a goods loan (sometimes referred to as a chattel mortgage) – as this is the most popular type of business car loan.

What is a business car loan term?

• Depending on the repayment amount and the amount you borrow, loan terms generally range from 1-7 years.
• 7 years is usually the maximum amount of time a lender will give you to repay the loan.
• If you're purchasing a used or second-hand vehicle the loan term may be shorter depending on the age of the vehicle.
• Remember, the longer the loan term - the more interest you will pay.

What is a balloon payment?

A balloon payment is an amount due at the end of your loan. Balloon payments are usually a percentage of the total loan amount.

 

While not all business car loans will have a balloon payment, they are a popular option.

The pros of a balloon payment

Balloon payments can be helpful if you need to reduce your loan repayments, making your regular repayments lower. This helps you get the vehicles your business needs without tying up cashflow.

The cons of a balloon payment

While it does make your repayments lower, you’ll be left with a lump sum remaining.

 

This means your loan won't be fully paid off by your monthly repayments - as you’ll still need to pay the lump sum leftover to close out the loan.

What are the benefits of a business car loan?

Business assets may be eligible for the government’s instant asset write-off and temporary full expensing which allows eligible business owners to claim an immediate tax deduction for eligible asset purchases. Find out more about eligibility, requirements and exclusions on the ATO website.

Improve your chances of getting approved

If you’re planning on applying for business car finance soon, improve your future borrowing potential by taking some basic steps today.

Ensure your financials are accurate and up to date

This provides a clear understanding of your business income and whether you can afford the monthly repayments for the amount you want to borrow. Don’t forget to consider your cashflow.

Make sure you have enough money to cover costs

Have an existing business loan? Make sure you don’t overdraw your account. Try to make extra repayments consistently if you can.

Maintain a good credit history by paying off your debts on time

Credit activity (personal and business) is kept on file by credit agencies for 5 years. This includes your loan details, repayments, overdue accounts. We use this information to assess whether you’re credit worthy so it’s important to maintain a good history.

Business car loan requirements

When you apply for a business car loan, you’ll be asked for a few documents.

 

Some examples of what you’ll need to provide include:

• Australian Business Number (ABN) – this needs to have been registered for at least 2 years
• Business financial statements from the last 2 years. This includes a balance sheet and profit and loss statement (if you need help creating these statements - the Federal Government have balance sheet and profit and loss templates to get you started)
• Tax return statements from the last 2 years

Can I get a business car loan if I have a bad credit history?

While a bad credit history is likely to decrease your chances of getting a loan, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a loan at all.

 

Get in touch with one of our business loan specialists to find out how we can help you.