If you need a car fast but want to cut down on your monthly expenses, there are plenty of options for cheap car financing in Canada. Learn where to get a cheap car loan, and find out how to compare lenders to get the best bang for your buck, even if you have bad credit.
How much is the cheapest car financing in Canada?
The cheapest car loans start at 0%, which you can get for a new car from a dealership. Zero-percent financing is not widely available these days, but you can check out our 0% financing guide for the latest deals.
According to StatsCan data, the most recent average interest rate Canadians paid for car financing was 7.50%. If you’re looking for a cheap car loan, look for a rate lower than the average.
5 tips to lock in a cheap car loan
Regardless of the rates and terms you see advertised, it’s often possible to get a better deal if you negotiate. Here are some tips to help you lock in the best cheap car financing:
1. Shop around
If you take the time to compare offers, you’ll get a good idea of what interest rates you may qualify for from a range of lenders. You should aim to pre-qualify with around three lenders to get the best cheap car finance deals. From there, you can pick the car loan that suits you best or use the offers you get to negotiate a lower rate.
2. Focus on the total price of the car
Focus on how much the car will cost you overall instead of looking at the monthly car payment. Dealerships can stretch the loan term of a car loan in order to make your monthly payments seem more affordable, but in reality, they’ll cost you more overall.
3. Negotiate with your lender
Whether you apply with a bank, credit union, online lender or dealership – chances are you can negotiate your way down to a cheaper car loan. Do your research and come equipped with other loan offers to show you’re a smart consumer who knows how to shop around. The best-case scenario is your lender will try to beat the price to keep your business.
4. Search for discounts
Some banks and credit unions offer a discount off their advertised rates if you have other banking products with them. You may also be able to find deeply discounted rates for cheap car financing directly from a dealership if they really want you to leave with a car, especially if you have good to excellent credit.
5. Get a cosigner
If you want cheap car finance with bad credit, you may be able to enlist a guarantor with good to excellent credit to cosign a loan with you. This assures your lender that someone else will pay back your loan if you default. It brings down your interest rates and makes it easier to qualify for cheap car financing.
What affects the cost of a cheap car loan?
The following factors will affect your ability to get cheap car financing in Canada:
- Interest rates. Your loan’s interest rate plays the biggest role in the total amount you pay. Aim to pay under the average car loan interest rate to get cheap car financing. Also keep in mind that if you sign up for variable rates, your interest rate can fluctuate in line with the prime rate of Canada. Learn more about car loan rates.
- Loan term. Car loans can last anywhere from one to eight years. A shorter loan term can reduce the total amount of interest you pay, but your monthly payments will be higher. Use our car loan calculator to find the shortest term that still offers monthly repayments you can afford.
- Fees. You may have to pay fees with some lenders on top of your interest rates. These can include fees to pay your loan off early (prepayment fees), fees to set up your loan (origination fees) or fees for missing payments (late or NSF fees). Look for a lender that doesn’t charge extra fees to lock in the best cheap car finance deals.
- Insurance requirements. Since your lender is using your car as collateral for your loan, it may insist that you have a comprehensive insurance policy in case you get in an accident. Check with your lender to see if they require you to have full coverage. If so, look for another lender or compare insurance agencies to get the best price.
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Example: The cheapest rate doesn’t mean the cheapest loan*
John shops around and finds a car loan for $25,000, which fits his budget. He compares several lenders and narrows his choice down to the two best deals. The first lender offers him an interest rate of 5.5%, while the second lender charges a higher rate of 5.75%. He goes with the first lender, without looking at additional fees.
Description | Lender A | Lender B |
---|---|---|
Loan amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Fixed interest rate | 5.5% | 5.75% |
Loan term | 5 years | 5 years |
Monthly payment | $477.53 | $482.34 |
Origination fee | $750 | $0 |
Total interest plus fees | $4,401.74 | $3,825.15 |
Total loan cost | $29,401.74 | $28,825.15 |
Real APR | 6.77% | 5.75% |
Counter to what you might think, you’ll pay more in interest and fees with the first loan, even though it has a lower interest rate. The best way to figure out the cheapest loan is to pick the one with the lowest APR.
* This is a fictional, but realistic, example.
How to apply for cheap car loans?
Follow these steps to find the best cheap car finance deals in Canada:
- Compare lenders. Search for online lenders that offer cheap car financing in Canada. Compare 3–4 lenders manually or use an online broker to find the best deal.
- Compare loan features. Compare features such as the APR (interest rates plus fees) and your monthly payments to find out how much you’ll have to pay.
- Get pre-approved. Apply for pre-approval with a few lenders to get a true sense of how much you’ll pay. Choose the offer that gives you the lowest APR and monthly payments to cut down on costs.
- Complete your application. Fill out a full application for your chosen offer. Submit required documents such as ID, bank statements and employment information.
- Review your final loan offer. Read your loan contract carefully. Check that the interest rate, fees, loan amount, term and payment schedule align with what you agreed to pay before you sign.
Eligibility requirements
While requirements will vary from lender to lender, you will usually need to meet the following:
- Be a Canadian citizen or resident who is at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid Canadian address and bank account.
- Meet minimum credit score, income and employment requirements.
Can you get cheap car finance with bad credit?
You may have a harder time getting cheap car finance for bad credit if you have a low income. This is because having a high income shows lenders you can afford your repayments. If your current monthly debt payments already take up too much of your monthly income (typically over 50%), lenders offering cheap car finance with bad credit may not approve you.
How can I reduce my monthly payments?
Learn how you can lock in the lowest monthly payments for cheap car financing:
- Find the lowest interest rate. By reducing your interest rate even a little, you should end up paying less on your monthly payments as well as less overall.
- Borrow less money. Aim to provide a down payment on your car to cut down on the costs. The less you borrow upfront, the lower your monthly payments will be.
- Choose a longer loan term. By extending your loan term, you can spread the amount you borrow out over an extra year or two. This will bring your loan payments down, but you’ll also pay more interest than with a shorter term.
Bottom line
Finding a cheap car loan can make the difference between having a little extra cash to spend each month and cutting things a bit too close for comfort. When you’re on the hunt, comparing interest rates and loan conditions from multiple lenders is key to finding the best cheap car finance deals.
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