Unsecured car loans allow you to buy a vehicle without using it as collateral against the loan.
They usually have higher interest rates because they post an extra financial risk to the lender.
If you're buying a used car or a lower valued car, an unsecured car loan might be right for you.
What is an unsecured car loan?
An unsecured car loan is a loan which allows you to purchase a vehicle without needing to attach the car to the loan as security.
Because the car isn't used as security, there aren't restrictions on what type of vehicle you can buy. With secured car loans, factors like the age and value of the car affect the amount you can borrow (or if you can borrow at all). And because the loan is unsecured you can use some of your loan amount to pay for other costs like insurance or vehicle upgrades.
An unsecured car loan is a higher risk for the lender because there is no guarantee attached, and so you should expect a higher interest rate than you would with a secured car loan. You may also be subjected to stricter eligibility criteria in terms of your own financial stability.
Is an unsecured car loan right for me?
An unsecured car loan could be the right option for you if:
You're purchasing an older or second-hand car
Because secured car loans come with restrictions regarding the type and age of vehicle you can use as security, an unsecured car loan may be better for you if you're buying a car that isn't new.
'New' can mean different things to different lenders though. Age restrictions can extend up to 12 years with some lenders, but can also be as little as 2 years.
Some loans also have criteria around the vehicle value. So you may want to consider an unsecured car loan for that reason. However, keep in mind secured used car loans are available in many car purchase cases.
You want to borrow funds for two or more purposes
If you're borrowing money to buy a car but you also want to consolidate debt, purchase your rego or even get the vehicle modified, an unsecured car loan may work better for you. This is because you are generally only able to borrow the value of the car with a secured car loan, so the lender can be sure it will be able to recoup its cost if you default on the loan.
You simply don't want to use your car as security for the loan.
Using your car to guarantee your loan can give you access to lower interest rates and can also help you to get approved. However, if you don't want to risk losing your vehicle if you default on the loan, you may want to opt for an unsecured loan.
Unsecured vs secured car loans: The pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Unsecured car loans
No restrictions on the type of car you purchase
Use the funds for other purposes
Interest rates are higher than with secured car loans
More stringent eligibility criteria for the loan as it is more of a risk for the lender
You won't get access to features available with most car loans, such as pre-approval
Secured car loans
Lower rates than unsecured car loans
You may have a better chance at being approved as the loan is less risky for the lender
Your car must meet the lender's eligibility criteria
You may not be able to borrow above the value of the car
You will not be permitted to make modifications to the car, if you wish to
How to take out an unsecured loan to buy a car
The borrowing process may differ slightly between lenders, but generally you will need to take the following steps when financing your car with an unsecured loan:
1. Find your vehicle
It's good to get an idea of what kind of car you want to buy and how much it will cost before you start looking for a loan. Even if you don't settle on a specific car, it's a good idea to get a ballpark figure so you can start comparing your loan options.
2. Work out what repayments you can afford
How much will you be able to comfortably repay each month? Remember to take into account the on-road costs for your new vehicle when considering your budget.
3. Compare unsecured car loans
Now it's time to start your comparison. Look at how competitive the interest rate is and check for upfront and ongoing fees. The comparison rate will give you a good idea of the overall cost as it includes interest and fees. Finally, check for features that are important to you such as repayment flexibility or the ability to repay the loan early. See our "how to compare" section below for more information.
4. Check that you're eligible
Lenders have set minimum eligibility criteria that you will need to meet in order to be approved for the loan. This will typically include a minimum age requirement, minimum income, credit history requirements and employment requirements. Minimum eligibility criteria for loans are listed at the bottom of every finder.com.au review. If you are unsure if you meet any of the set criteria, contact the lender directly.
5. Apply for the loan
Once you're sure you meet the minimum requirements you can click "Go to Site" to apply online. Have your ID, financial and employment documents on hand to complete the application.
6. Organise your funds with the lender
Lenders disperse funds in different ways. The lender may prefer to pay the car seller directly or send the funds to your bank account. Discuss the best way to receive the funds with your lender.
Interest rates in January 2025
The average unsecured personal loan is 10.95%
The average secured personal loan is 10.29%
The average fixed interest rate for an unsecured personal loan is 9.59%
The average variable interest rate for an unsecured personal loan is 11.69%
*The data here is from Finder's personal loan database in January 2025
How can I compare unsecured car loans?
Here is what to look at when comparing your options:
Interest rate
The interest rate is the most important thing to take into account. Generally, the lower the rate, the lower your repayments will be. The first thing you should do is to compare the interest rate that different lenders. You'll also need to choose between a fixed interest rate and a variable interest rate.
Comparison rate
The comparison rate reflects the true cost of the loan because it takes into account the fees that are payable as well as the interest rate. If the comparison rate is considerably higher than the interest rate, it means that the loan comes with a number of fees attached.
Fees
Look for up-front fees such as application or establishment fees as well as ongoing fees such as monthly or annual fees. You may also find fees for additional payments or repaying the loan early which can make the loan restrictive, so check if these will apply.
Repayment flexibility
Most lenders will let you choose between weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. Which repayment program would suit your lifestyle best? Also, check whether you can make additional repayments and repay the loan early without penalty. Repaying a loan early can save you money over the life of the loan. Consider if this flexibility is important to you or not.
Redraw facility
Redraw facilities allow you to withdraw any extra repayments you’ve put into your car loan. These can be useful in emergencies when you may need the cash. Would you benefit from a redraw facility? If it's something the lender offers, check if a fee or limit applies.
Frequently asked questions
Unlike secured loans, unsecured car loans do not require collateral, but they typically come with higher interest rates due to increased risk for the lender.
It may be possible, but expect higher interest rates and stricter eligibility criteria. Some lenders specialise in offering loans to those with lower credit scores.
The main benefits include not risking your vehicle as collateral and potentially quicker approval processes, especially if you have a strong credit history.
Matt Corke is Finder’s head of publishing ventures. Prior to this he was head of publishing for Australia, New Zealand and emerging markets. Matt built his first website in 1999 and has been building computers since he was in his early teens. In that time, he has survived the dot-com crash and countless Google algorithm updates. See full bio
Rebecca Pike is Finder’s senior money writer, with over 10 years of experience in mortgages and personal finance. A frequent TV and radio commentator, she frequently appears on Sunrise, A Current Affair, 9News, and Sky News, and contributes expert analysis to publications like Yahoo Finance and The Latch. Rebecca previously served as Editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism as well as ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, which comply with ASIC guidelines. See full bio
Rebecca's expertise
Rebecca has written 234 Finder guides across topics including:
Want to buy a classic car but don't have the ready money? There are still financing options available for classic vehicles. Find out what loans you have to choose one and which one will work best for you.
If you are unhappy with your current car loan, refinancing it could be the right choice for you. Most people refinance their car loan to get a lower interest rate, get more flexibility in their car loan or get more additional features. Read our guide to see if it's right for you.
If you're looking to a buy a car you can consider a secured car loan to help finance your vehicle purchase. The loan is guaranteed so you can enjoy a lower interest rate – compare your options and apply today.
You can still get a car loan if you want to finance a used car. Find out how you can get a used car loan and see what rates are available for the used car you want. Learn how to best compare lenders and apply for your loan today.
Whether you're upgrading your current car or looking for a new vehicle for your first car purchase, a new car loan can help you finance your set of wheels. Find out everything you need to know about new car loans to help you find the right loan for you.
Don't pay an outrageous interest rate on your next car loan – compare loans before you buy.
Important information about this website
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand by our editorial principles.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.