How to Get a Car on Finance with AJ Motors
How to Get a Car on Finance – AJ Motors Guide for NZ Buyers
Buying a car is right up there with the biggest purchases most of us make, yet more than ever Kiwis are choosing not to pay for their vehicle in one hit. Instead, they’re getting behind the wheel with the help of car finance, allowing for smaller, manageable payments over time, which brings us to the question: how to get a car on finance? At AJ Motors, making car finance less daunting is their clear mission — and with hundreds of customers a month turning to finance, it’s high time to unpack how it all works.
Why Car Finance Is So Popular Among Kiwis
Back in 2022, a whopping three out of four car buyers in New Zealand walked out of dealerships with finance agreements. Paying for a car outright isn’t always practical, especially if you need a reliable ride but don’t have the cash sitting in your bank account. Here’s why car finance wins fans across the country:
- Spreads the cost over months or years, so you don’t wreak havoc on your savings.
- Lets you choose better or newer cars than you could if you were paying entirely upfront.
- Builds credit if you make repayments on time.
Money is tight for many these days, making a personal loan an attractive option to consider for financing a vehicle. With living costs on the rise, even those with comfortable incomes are looking for ways to lessen the financial blow of a new car. Finance lets you drive away with your next vehicle without having to empty out your rainy day fund, although considering car insurance is crucial to safeguard against unforeseen events.
The Key Parts of a Car Finance Deal
If you’re new to car loans, or it’s been a while since you last shopped around, terms and conditions can get confusing fast. AJ Motors and their partners try to keep things crystal clear. Here are the must-knows:
Term
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What It Means
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Deposit
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The upfront amount paid right away. Bigger deposits lower your future monthly repayments.
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Term
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The length of the finance agreement — often 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60 months.
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Interest Rate
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The annual rate the lender charges on the remaining loan balance. This can be fixed or variable.
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Repayment
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The set amount you’ll pay each week, fortnight, or month. Includes interest, principal, and sometimes fees.
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Total Amount Payable
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The total cost of the car, plus any interest and fees, over the full term of the loan.
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AJ Motors publishes example finance repayments for every car they list. What’s really handy: you can tweak deposit amounts, change up the loan term, and see how your weekly or monthly repayment changes instantly before you even apply.
How the Application Process Works
You might picture mountains of paperwork and endless forms, but car finance with reputable dealers like AJ Motors is much more streamlined these days.
Let’s break down their basic process:
- Pick Your Car Start by browsing the AJ Motors inventory online or in-person. When you spot something you like, look for the repayment estimate, calculated using Finance Now’s standard terms.
- Customise Your Repayment Plan Don’t like the standard term or want to put in a bigger deposit? Adjust these on the vehicle page and the repayments will update in real time. That’s a useful way to check what fits your budget.
- Fill in the Application Once you’re happy, you can start the finance application — either at a local AJ Motors branch or online.
You’ll be asked for:
- Personal ID (driver’s licence or passport)
- Proof of your income (payslips, bank statements)
- Address and contact details
- Info about your job and monthly expenses
- Learn How to Get a Car on Finance and Let AJ Motors Handle the Rest AJ Motors works with a network of trusted lenders. Their finance team reviews your application, matches you with lenders most likely to approve you, and does the back-and-forth on your behalf. Their goal is to save you time, help you avoid likely declines, and land better rates when they can.
- Get Approved, Sign, and Drive Away Once a lender comes back with an approval, you’ll go through the loan agreement details, including considerations for car insurance. Is the term right? Happy with the interest rate? If it all looks good, you sign, and you’re good to go. The whole process can take just a day or two, sometimes even less.
What Lenders Look For
Not everyone gets a “yes” straight away. Lenders have rules to make sure they’re lending to people who can afford repayments.
They’ll check:
- Your income and job security
- Current debts (credit cards, other loans)
- Credit history in NZ
- Whether you’re an NZ resident or citizen
Some lenders are more flexible, especially if you’ve got a past blemish or two on your credit report. AJ Motors helps match you with those more understanding lenders when needed, increasing your chances of a successful application.
Common Interest Rates and Terms
Interest rates aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your rate depends on factors like your credit score, loan term, deposit, and car age.
Here’s a rough guide to what you might see in New Zealand:
Credit Rating
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Typical Interest Rate Range
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Excellent
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8% - 10%
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Good/Fair
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10% - 14%
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Below average
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14% - 19%
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Most car loans run for 36 to 60 months (three to five years), but you can pay off sooner if you want — just check if your loan agreement allows early repayments without penalties.
Real Numbers: What Might You Pay?
Let’s take a $15,000 car loan with a $2,000 deposit, financed over 48 months. If the lender offers a 12% interest rate, here’s how it might look:
Calculation Item
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Amount
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Borrowed Amount
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$13,000
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Interest over 48 months
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~$3,370
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Monthly Repayment
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~$342
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Total Paid (incl. deposit)
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~$16,370
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Remember, these are all ballpark figures — AJ Motors and your lender will work out exact numbers including the terms and conditions based on your situation.
What About Insurance?
Car finance lenders nearly always want the car insured for the entire loan term. The good part? AJ Motors doesn’t just leave you hanging. Their finance team works alongside insurance providers to line up:
- Comprehensive vehicle cover (for accidental damage, theft, third-party)
- Payment protection insurance (covers repayments if you lose your job or can’t work due to illness)
- GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection), useful if your car is written off while you owe more than it’s worth
By rolling insurance costs in with your finance package up front, you avoid unpleasant surprises or missed payments down the track.
Benefits of Dealer Finance Through AJ Motors
You might wonder if it’s better to arrange a personal loan through a bank or use your own finance broker. There are genuine perks in sorting it with the dealership where you’re buying the car:
- Speed: Onsite approval sometimes within minutes, and you don’t have to wait for bank appointments.
- Wide lender choice: AJ Motors has relationships with dozens of lenders, not just one. That means more chance for approval, especially if your situation is unusual.
- Flexible terms: Dealers keenly understand the way you want to pay. Want zero deposit? Six-year loan? Pay fortnightly? They can juggle the options and show you clear repayment figures right away.
- Everything in one place: See the car and finance deal together, which is especially helpful when you want to compare options and ask face-to-face questions.
Tips for Getting the Best Car Finance Deal
To boost your odds of a fast approval and a low interest rate:
- Check your credit first. You can see your NZ credit report free via Centrix, Equifax, or illion.
- Know your budget. Calculate what repayment fits alongside rent, groceries, and the rest of your life’s bills.
- Bring documents. The more info you provide, the smoother the process. Proof of income and address are non-negotiable.
- Don’t get fixated on interest rate alone. The overall repayment and fees might mean more to your wallet in the end.
Understanding how to get a car on finance is less about complicated jargon, and more about picking what suits your needs, lifestyle, and spending plan. That’s where AJ Motors tries to make things easier — giving you the facts, matching you with lenders who get your world, and making sure you’re fully covered.
With smart options at your fingertips, that “new car feeling” might be just around the corner. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a family wagon, score your first set of wheels, or simply ditch that unreliable old hatch, knowing your way around car finance has never mattered more in New Zealand. And with the right support behind you, the process can feel surprisingly straightforward.