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Win your car finance with CarFinance 247


If you win, we'll pay off the finance on your car. It's that simple! Your car becomes completely yours, free and clear.

This amazing offer is open to anyone who has secured car finance with us throughout 2023, including Decemeber 2023!

This means that there's still time to enter, get your finance in December, and you're automatically in!

The lucky winner will be announced the week beginning 5th February 2024 on our instagram page.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Can I Swap to A Cheaper Car on Finance During My Current Agreement?

Hi, I have an Audi A5 black edition which I took out on finance in September.

Would I be able to trade in or swap my car for something cheaper i.e. Audi A1? 

Asked by Eisha
December 21, 2021

Every car finance agreement is tailored to an individual borrower and specific vehicle so it’s not possible to simply swap to a cheaper car during your loan term. However, you do still have options.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 7 People

Get my quote
Rates from 8.9% APR. Representative APR 19.9%




Rates from 8.9%: the exact rate you will be offered will be based on your circumstances, subject to status.

Representative example: borrowing £10,000 over 5 years with a representative APR of 19.9%, an annual interest rate of 19.9% (Fixed) and a deposit of £0.00, the amount payable would be £255.50 per month, with a total cost of credit of £5,329.80 and a total amount payable of £15,030.

We look to find the best rate from our panel of lenders and offer you the best deal that you're eligible for. We earn a commission for providing our services, but this does not influence the interest rate you’re offered in any way.

5 years
Total cost of credit £ 2000
Total repayment £ 2000
48 monthly
payments of
£ 245 98

Rates from 9.9%: the exact rate you will be offered will be based on your circumstances, subject to status.

Representative example: borrowing £25,000 over 48 months, £3,750.00 deposit, on PCP, with annual mileage of 8,000pa, and a representative APR of 11.9%, an annual interest rate of 11.9% (Fixed), the amount payable would be £394.51 per month, an optional final payment of £7,194.33, with a total cost of credit of £9,912.36 and a total amount payable of £28,444.33. 

We look to find the best product from our panel of lenders and will offer you the best deal that you’re eligible for. We earn a commission for providing our services, but this does not influence the interest rate you’re offered in any way.


I have existing finance related questions

I already have a car through First response but due to change in circumstances the car i have is not big enough for the extended family. I took the car over 2 years and I have paid one year off. Would I be able to upgrade my car or would I need to pay off

Asked by Susan Nicholson
December 21, 2021

Yes, if you already have car finance with First Response – or any other lender – then you may be able to secure an upgrade. To buy a new car, you’ll need to settle your original finance and take out a new loan.

First, you’ll need to find out your settlement figure from First Response. This is the amount of money you still owe on your loan or finance agreement, including any interest. Remember that the lender will own the car until you’ve paid the settlement figure and if you try to sell it before this, the outstanding finance will be flagged to any potential buyers.

If you can’t afford to pay the settlement figure outright, you might be able to find a refinance loan. This type of car finance allows you to settle your existing deal and pay it back in manageable monthly instalments. You can then use any positive equity left in your vehicle as a deposit in a new agreement.

At CarFinance 247, we’ll always look to find you the best deal from our panel of lenders. We can help people with a variety of different circumstances. You’ll be paired with a dedicated account manager who can help you find a new car, guide you through the finance process, and answer any questions you might have.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 9 People

Hello, i have come to the end of my finance agreement and have been asked to pay off the baloon payment or hand the car back. I'd like to keep the car if possible so can you refinance my baloon payment? You help / advice would be appreciated :-)


December 21, 2021

Yes! Here at CarFinance 247, we work with a panel of lenders and some of them can refinance the balloon payment on a PCP deal.

This type of loan would be a new finance agreement designed to help you keep your car and pay off your balloon payment in manageable monthly instalments.

The balloon payment is the amount you’ll need to pay to buy your car at the end of a PCP loan term. It’s based on the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV) of your car and could range from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds.

If you can’t afford to cover the balloon payment without taking out finance, you don’t have to keep the car. One of the best things about PCP car finance is that it gives you options. Instead of buying the car, you could choose to give it back when your agreement ends or use any positive equity as a deposit in a new deal.

Refinance loans aren’t limited to balloon payments. If you’re in the middle of your loan term, you might be able to secure a better deal by refinancing.

When you refinance, you take out a new agreement to pay the balance on your existing loan. There are a few reasons why this might work for you. Maybe your circumstances have changed, and you’d like to swap to a loan with a longer term and lower monthly repayments. Or perhaps your credit score has improved, and you could secure a better interest rate. Refinancing could even be an option if you have a joint car loan and now want the finance to be in your name only. 

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 14 People

Hi, I have an Audi on finance which I have had for only a few months. We were honest about the high mileage I would be doing so pay a high monthly fee. However, due to change of circumstances I am now not working. Can we change the agreement to a lower a


December 21, 2021

Unfortunately, you can’t simply change names on a car finance agreement. Every loan is tailored to the borrower’s individual circumstances and, as someone else’s circumstances will be different, they can’t be easily transferred.

If you’d like to buy a car that someone owns on finance, they’ll need to settle the finance first to buy the car outright. You can then apply for a loan in your own name.

However, if the car finance agreement is in your name and you want to sell the car or reduce your monthly repayments, you do have options.

To sell the car, you’ll need to settle your finance first. You can request a settlement figure from your lender at any time. This is the amount you need to pay to end your agreement early and own the car. The further you are into the agreement, the lower your settlement figure will be, but early repayment fees might apply.

If you want to keep your car but need to reduce your monthly repayments, then you could consider refinancing. This is when you take out a new agreement to settle your existing loan and swap to a loan with cheaper monthly repayments and a longer repayment period. It’s worth keeping in mind that added interest means you might end up paying back more overall.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 6 People

Hi, I have a car on finance through Audi and am 2.5 years through a 3 year agreement. I have read though many of the posts on here but still have a few queries.

At the end of the 3 years I will not be able to afford the final payment. Is the


December 21, 2021

Under UK law, you can give your car back to the finance company, known as voluntary termination, as long as you have repaid 50% of the total amount payable (not just of the total amount borrowed, you need to include interest and fees, and the balloon payment on a PCP as well). If you’ve not already paid 50%, you can also choose to make a one-off payment to make up the difference.

You’ll need to contact your finance company to kick-start this process but you’ll be able to find the total amount payable, as well as the termination amount, on your car finance contract. Keep in mind that if your car has any damage – beyond everyday wear and tear – you may also face additional charges. 

If you’re not able to pay 50%, contact your finance company to find out what your settlement figure might be and whether it may be possible to sell or part-exchange your car.

When you’re ready to find finance again, make an application to find out more. 

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 11 People

Hi. We have a car on a 36 month term with an existing finance company and have 18 months left. We are now expecting our first child and need a bigger car. We haven't had the car valued properly. We have £5k left on the car and it's roughly worth £5500-6ki


December 21, 2021

Whether you’re able to get a new car loan and settle your existing finance or not depends on a few different things.

First, you’ll need to contact your finance provider and get your settlement figure.

When you’re ready to apply for a new car finance agreement, get a quote to find out more.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 9 People

Hi, I am a stay at home mother/housewife, my husband and i recently sold our home and would like to get another mortgage but have hit a bit of a brick wall. We had lots of debt that we have now paid off so we are waiting for the credit rating to go up (re


December 21, 2021

No, unfortunately you can’t transfer an existing car finance agreement to someone else.

Every car finance agreement is tailored to your individual circumstances and, as nobody else will have exactly the same circumstances as you, the agreement can’t be transferred.

If you’re having trouble making your repayments or someone else wants to buy your car, there are other options you can explore.

Ending my car finance agreement early

Depending on the type of agreement you have, you don’t have to wait until the end of your term to settle your finance.

Instead you can:

If you’ve chosen to pay the settlement figure on a hire purchase agreement, the car will now be all yours and you can sell it or gift it to someone else. But if you’ve chosen to refinance instead, then you may be able to apply for joint car finance and add someone else to the new agreement.

Joint car finance

Don’t want to go it alone? Here at CarFinance 247, we work with a panel of lenders and some of them can help people find joint car finance.

Restrictions can apply – some lenders ask that you both live at the same address, for example – but your dedicated account manager will be able to help guide you through the process.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 177 People

I bought a car in November 2013 under a 3 year Hire Purchase agreement. I want to buy a new car as I'm not happy with my current car anymore. I recently had a settlement figure of 7,313.54 which I think is more than the car is worth. The car is worth aro


December 21, 2021

Yes, even if you have outstanding finance on your car, you may be able to get a new one before your agreement ends.

It all depends on your personal circumstances and the type of car finance agreement you have, but there are three main options you could consider:

Pay the settlement figure

You can end your existing agreement by paying the settlement figure. You can usually find your settlement figure on your finance agreement or you can contact the lender directly to find out how much it’ll cost to settle your loan in full. Typically, the further you are into your agreement, the lower your settlement figure will be.

Opt for Voluntary Termination

Under UK law, you have the right to choose voluntary termination and hand the car back as long as you’ve paid 50% of the total amount payable. This doesn’t just mean 50% of the amount you’ve borrowed though, it also includes any fees, interest, and the balloon payment if you’re in a PCP agreement.

Refinance your car

Refinancing is when you take out a new finance agreement to pay the balance on your existing car finance loan and get a new one. You’ll be able to settle your current finance with a one-off payment and, depending on the deal, this payment could be covered by the new lender or incorporated into your new loan amount.

What if I’m in negative equity?

If you’ve found yourself in negative equity, don’t worry – you don’t need to be stuck there forever! Here at CarFinance 247, we work with a panel of lenders and some of them can provide negative equity car finance. With these loans, you’ll be able to combine the cost of clearing your negative equity and the price of a new car into one monthly payment.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 12 People

Hi, i have an existing finance agreement for 5 years and it's my 1st year only. Another problem is that there's a damage in the car bumper due to an accident (I've hit an animal on the road).

I would like to downgrade my car because my circ


December 21, 2021

Unfortunately, every car loan is tailored to your individual circumstances and the vehicle you’ve financed so you can’t just transfer a car loan from one car to another.

But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a car you no longer want or can’t afford. You do have options, even if you haven’t yet reached the end of your agreement.

Pay the settlement figure

If you’d like to settle your finance early and own or sell your car, you can request a settlement figure from your lender. Typically, the further you are into your finance agreement, the lower this figure will be. Once you’ve settled your finance, you’ll be free to do what you like with the car: keep it, sell it or part-exchange it to use as a deposit in a new agreement.

Refinance my car

Want to change your agreement but keep your car? You can look to refinance instead.

When your finance agreement can last anything up to seven years, it’s understandable that your circumstances can change. If you need to reduce your monthly outgoings or your financial situation has improved over time, a refinance deal could work for you. 

Refinancing is when you look for a new finance agreement (usually with a new lender) to pay off your existing loan amount with a better interest rate or lower monthly repayments. You’ll settle your existing finance with a one-off payment, which will be covered by the new lender or incorporated into your new lender.

But keep in mind that switching to a loan with lower repayments might not be the best choice long-term. Take note of the total amount payable on the new loan and be aware that having lower monthly payments over a longer loan term could mean you pay back more overall.

What about negative equity?

If your car is currently worth less than the outstanding finance, then you’re in negative equity. But you don’t have to be stuck there! Here at CarFinance 247, we work with a panel of lenders and some can offer negative equity car finance. With these loans, you can combine the cost of clearing your negative equity and the price of a new car into one affordable monthly payment.

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 5 People

Hi, I have a 58 plate Vauxhall Astra which I bought in Feb 2012 for £6000. I pay £253 a month and recently asked for a settlement amount which was £5793 and current dealership offers are between £4000 and £4800.

Could I get a

Asked by Daniel Dunne
December 21, 2021

Hi Daniel, thank you for your question.

If you can get £4800 for your current car it looks as though you're in £1000 negative equity. Would you have any cash at all to make up some of the difference as this would help us get you into a better deal?

We can help people who are in negative equity and if you've had a recent clean credit history i'd like to think we can get you a better rate than you're currently on. Please apply when you're ready and if approved you can choose a car from any dealer and we do provide a no obligation quote. Kind Regards, Rachel

Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter Car Finance Expert

Liked by 7 People

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* The UK's largest online car finance broker by unique users to the website. Based on Similar Web data – 1,137,647 to CarFinance 247 vs. 753,819 for nearest competitor. January to June 2023.

CarFinance 247 is a trading name of CarFinance 247 Limited. Registered office: Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JH. Registered in England. (Registration Number 06035525).

CarFinance 247 is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution and credit broking (Firm Reference Number: 653019). CarFinance 247 is registered with the ICO (Registration Number Z1897658).

Finance is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Written quotations are available on request.

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