FINANCE HELP CENTRE

We offer a range of finance options to suit individual needs, find out more with our frequently asked questions.

What is car finance?

Car finance is a way of spreading the cost of a new or used car. Instead of paying the full amount upfront, you pay a smaller amount each month, while using the car as if it was yours.

What are the different types of car finance?

We offer three finance plans: Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Conditional Sale and Personal Contract Hire. Each plan suits different preferences. For example, you might want to make single or monthly payments, and own or return the car at the end of your term.

 

Find out more about each of our finance options and what they mean for you here.

What is Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)?

With Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), you can keep your options open. You choose your deposit and term length, and have three choices at the end of your term.

 

The key difference between PCP and a standard Conditional Sale agreement is that rather than paying the sum of the entire vehicle over the duration of your agreement and owning it at the end, you have the option to give back your vehicle at the end of your term, or even replace it for a different vehicle on a new finance plan.


The Retailer will calculate an Optional Final Payment before your contract begins, which is a guaranteed figure and therefore remains fixed throughout your term. This Optional Final Payment is a forecast of the vehicle’s worth at the end of your finance term.

When calculating your monthly payments, the Optional Final Payment is then deducted from the cost of the vehicle, which means that your monthly payments in a PCP agreement are always likely to be cheaper than in a Conditional Sale agreement.

At the end of a PCP finance term, you have three options with Vauxhall.

What is Conditional Sale?

Conditional Sale, often referred to as Hire Purchase, is one of the most common ways to finance a new or used vehicle.

This is probably the most straight-forward and easy to understand method of vehicle financing.

Conditional Sale assumes that you want to eventually own the vehicle at the end of your finance term, so simply splits the total cost of the vehicle (minus your deposit) over the duration of your plan.

Once the last monthly payment has been made, the vehicle is yours.

What is Personal Contract Hire?

Personal Contract Hire is a simple lease agreement that gives you the ability to regularly change cars and avoid the decreases in value that owning a car outright normally results in. 

 

Similar to a standard home rental contract, there is no option to buy the vehicle at the end of your term. You simply hand it back to the rental company and are then free to enter another agreement. Do watch out for any damage made to the vehicle during your contract, as you may be charged for this by the rental company when you return the vehicle. 

 

When entering a lease agreement, you will asked to choose your desired term length and anticipated annual mileage. A combination of these factors will determine the cost of the monthly payments. 

 

A benefit of Personal Contract Hire is that your Road Fund License will be paid for throughout the duration of your lease, and all Personal Contract Hire plans at Vauxhall come with RAC Roadside Assistance provided for the first year of your lease, with the option also of adding regular vehicle maintenance to your contract.

Is it cheaper to pay in cash or on finance?

It depends on your circumstances. Your Vauxhall Retailer will be able to give you quotes that will help you make a decision on this.

Will I own the car at the end?

Yes, if you choose a Conditional Sale agreement. By repaying the finance in full, you automatically become the owner.

What happens at the end of my finance term?

It depends on the finance product you choose:

 

  • With Conditional Sale, you automatically become owner of the vehicle once the finance is repaid in full

 

  •  With PCP finance, you have to make a final payment to keep and own the car. (We can sometimes look at refinancing the final payment to allow you to keep it.) Alternatively, you can hand the car back.

 

  • Flexible Personal Lease (contract hire) is a long-term rental agreement. It will suit you if you don't want to buy the car at the end of your contract and won’t need to change it before the end of the contract. So you simply hire the car for an agreed period by paying fixed monthly amounts.

Do I qualify for Finance?

Your local Vauxhall Retailer will have all the answers - please drop in and ask.

Will I be subject to a credit check before being approved for finance?

Yes. We're committed to lending responsibly to our customers.

What's the difference between a 'soft' and 'hard' credit check?

When a lender does a soft search, it's a preliminary check that doesn't reveal all your credit report information. This type of check is only visible to you on your credit report - so unlimited soft searches can be done without affecting your credit report or score.

 

A hard search is when a lender takes a full look at your credit report and score. This does leave a mark on your credit report - so prospective lenders who look at it can see that you applied for credit and if you were accepted. Most hard searches stay on your report for 12 months.

How long will it take to make a decision about my finance?

We'll get back to you as soon as our underwriting process is complete.

Will I need a guarantor?

No, but we'll sometimes ask for a joint hirer as part of our underwriting process.

What if I have a poor credit history?

You can still apply for finance - and of course, we'll need to go through our usual checks.

I've been refused finance elsewhere. Can I still apply?

Yes, but we'll need to go through our usual checks.

I already have a car on finance, can I still apply?

Yes, but we'll need to go through our usual checks.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

Not necessarily - it depends on the finance product you choose.

Can I part-exchange my car as a deposit?

It depends on your car's value. To find out how much it's worth, please speak to your local Vauxhall Retailer.

Will I get my deposit back?

No. Your deposit will be taken off the price of your vehicle.

Does my mileage affect my finance costs?

Yes, if you choose PCP or Flexible Personal Lease (contract hire) finance.

Can I change my annual mileage commitment during the contract?

Not at the moment. We're looking to make this possible in future.

What happens if I go over my allocated miles during my contract?

Nothing, unless you hand the car back. If you do this, you'll need to pay the excess mileage charge shown in your contract.

What documentation will I need to get finance?

You'll need a full valid driver’s licence. Our underwriting team may also ask for other documents.

Can I return my vehicle early?

Sometimes. Your contract terms will confirm this.

Can I pay off my outstanding finance amount early?

Yes. And you won't be charged a fee.

Can I cancel my finance agreement?

You can't cancel your contract, but you have 14 days to withdraw from it if you want to pay in an alternative way.

How long do car finance contracts last?

It depends on the product you choose. PCP and Flexible Personal Lease agreements range from 24 to 48 months, while Conditional Sale agreements are between 24 and 60 months.

How does being self-employed affect me?

It doesn’t. We'll go through our usual checks.

Can I buy a used car on finance?

Yes. We offer a range of finance options for new and used vehicles.